Mental Illness in the U.S.

"One of the things that baffles me (and there are quite a few) is how there can be so much lingering stigma with regards to mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. In my opinion, living with manic depression takes a tremendous amount of balls. Not unlike a tour of Afghanistan (though the bombs and bullets, in this case, come from the inside). At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. They should issue medals along with the steady stream of medication." — Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking

Mental illness is a confusing topic for some and is fraught with a lot of stigma for many. There is a lot of misinformation out there about what mental illness is, and the extent of its impact.  This graphic represents the reality of American mental illness. Check it out below.

Thanks to the MSW@USC, the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s online Master of Social Work program, for sharing this information.

If you are in crisis, please seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis hotline (visit link to chat), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.