Mental Health Conditions are Real, Common and Treatable
Mental health conditions affect every ethnic, racial, cultural, economic and religious group, and impact individuals of all ages and genders. Like any physical illness or injury, mental illness and mental health conditions are real and require treatment, but stigma, discrimination and fear often prevent people from seeking help.
Your mental wellness impacts your physical health, relationships and overall community. The good news is that treatment can improve your overall well-being at any age or stage of life. Though mental illness and mental health conditions look different for every person, recovery is possible and help is available throughout the community.
While the impacts of stigma and trauma can be painfully real, so are the positive realities of mental well-being, healing and hope. We can all do our part to change how we think of and, and act towards people living with mental health conditions.
Help reduce stigma in your community by learning more about mental illness and providing support to those living with a mental health condition.
Common Mental Health Conditions
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Anxiety Conditions
Characterized by excessive fear or anxiety that is difficult to control, which negatively and substantially impacts daily functioning.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Defined by a persistent pattern of inattention (for example, difficulty keeping focus) and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity (for example, difficulty controlling behavior, excessive and inappropriate motor activity).
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Bipolar Disorder
Characterized by atypical, dramatic swings in mood, and activity levels that go from periods of feeling intensely happy, irritable, and impulsive to periods of intense sadness and feelings of hopelessness.
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Borderline Personality Disorder
Characterized by difficulties regulating emotion. People living with BPD feel emotions intensely and for extended periods of time, and it is harder for them to return to a stable baseline after an emotionally triggering event.
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Depression
Depression can present different symptoms depending on the person, but is often characterized by physical and mental changes that significantly interfere with daily life. Common symptoms include: hopelessness or guilty thoughts, loss of energy, changes in sleep, changes in appetite, lack of interest in activities and physical aches and pains.
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Dissociative Conditions
Characterized by an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness and memory.
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Eating Disorders
Describes illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and severe distress or concern about body weight or shape.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Defined by the presence of persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted (obsessions), or repetitive and ritualistic behaviors that a person feels are necessary in order to control obsessions (compulsions).
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Characterized as the development of debilitating symptoms following exposure to a traumatic or dangerous event. These can include re-experiencing symptoms from an event, such as flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance symptoms, changing a personal routine to escape having to be reminded of an event, or being easily startled/tense that makes daily tasks nearly impossible to complete.
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Psychosis
Characterized as disruptions to a person’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to recognize what is real and what isn’t. These disruptions are often experienced as seeing, hearing and believing things that aren’t real or having strange, persistent thoughts, behaviors and emotions.
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Schizoaffective Disorder
Characterized by persistent symptoms of psychosis resembling schizophrenia with additional periodic symptoms of mood disorders, such as mania and depression.
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Schizophrenia
A brain disorder that impacts the way a person thinks (often described as a “thought disorder”), feels and acts. It is characterized by a range of mental, behavioral, and emotional experiences that can include: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior.
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Embrace.
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, but sometimes people do. Be an ally to friends and family members who may be living with a mental health condition. Let them know you can be trusted. Sometimes all it takes is a hug, a call, a positive text.
Mental Health Services
Call 211 for local mental health counseling, support and crisis response services. If you are in crisis or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
- Learn the facts about mental illness, ways stigma can hurt individuals and families, and the resources for help so that we all understand what people with mental health conditions are going through and how support can be provided.
- Start a conversation today and you can change what happens tomorrow. If you, or someone you know, is feeling anxious, depressed or stressed, reach out and ask how they are feeling.
- Recognize the signs. Sometimes friends or family exhibit new or different behaviors that are hard to differentiate and understand. Certain behaviors may be associated with mental illness or other concerns and it’s important to know what to look for. By knowing the signs, you’ll know when to offer help and act.
- Show support and treat others with respect. Make every effort to ensure people know they can be helped.
- Advocate. Use your voice, in person or online, and share your mental health journey to raise awareness about the effects of stigma. It’s not always easy to take a stand, but your courage can help remind and educate your community that mental illness is common and looks like you and me.
- To learn more about what people with mental health conditions are going through, how support can be provided or to get involved, explore StopStigmaSacramento.org, or call 211 to be referred to culturally competent, recovery-focused mental health services.
Conversation Starter
Hey, it seems like you’ve got a lot on your mind lately. How are you?
I just wanted to say that I am here if you want to talk about anything – Can we get together this week?
I noticed you have missed a few days of school, and I just wanted to check in with you and see how you are doing.
I haven’t seen you in a while! How have you been?
I know life can feel like a lot sometimes, but if you need someone to talk to, I want you to know I am here.
You’ve seemed a little down lately and I wanted to see how you are doing.
I just want you to know I am here for you if you ever need to talk. You’re my friend and I won’t judge you.
I know things have been hard lately; let me know if you want to talk about it. I’m here for you.