May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Millions of American adults suffer from mental illnesses -- But how many people know the signs of mental illness, or the resources available to treat them?

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Mental Health America set out to raise awareness of mental illness and mental health resources 70 years ago when it recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month, according to the organization's website. Since then, the initiative has been recognized by countless groups and individuals.

"Mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable," said a Mental Health America statement.

Here are a few key facts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

• One in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition.
• One in 25 (10 million) adults in the U.S. lives with a serious mental illness
• 43.8 million adults in the U.S. face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness.
• Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.

Help is available for those suffering from mental illness.

For immediate help with suicide or suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255, or get more information at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Information related to health insurance and non-immediate mental health services can be found here.

Anyone who wants to be able to spot warning signs of mental illness in others can find a list of possible warning signs here.

More information about mental health and resources for where to get help can be found at mentalhealth.gov.

Cox Media Group