Mental Illness is very common and many kids grow up with a parent or other family member who has periods of time when they are unwell.
Mental 'illness' is one name for a whole lot of sicknesses which change someone's thoughts, feelings, behaviour or relationships. The effects are more noticeable and long-lasting than a mental health 'problem' and may not resolve without support or medical assistance. A diagnosis requires a certain combination of symptoms, of particular severity, to be present over time. People with mental illness may be helped by counselling and practical support and/or may receive treatment such as medication.
1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives.
Almost 1 in 100 Australians will experience schizophrenia during their lifetime.
3 million Australians will experience a major depressive illness.
5% of Australians experience anxiety so bad that it affects every aspect of their lives.
3% of Australians are affected by psychotic illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder where there is a loss of contact with reality during episodes of illness.
Research indicates that people receiving treatment for a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than the general population.
Young people are just as susceptible to mental illness as adults and the main illnesses young people are afflicted with include:
For more information on these individual illnesses see above links.