Detroit Central City

Mental illnesses are disorders of the brain that interfere with a person's thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. When we think of diabetes, we understand that it is a disorder of pancreas. Similarly, mental illnesses are brain disorders that often result in a diminished ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life. These disorders can vary in intensity from mild to very intense.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any race, religion, income, or age, including children. These illnesses are not the result the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing, but they do have a great impact on society. Twenty–three percent (23%) of American adults age 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

When a person has a mental illness he or she can experience such distressing symptoms as depression, severe emotional stress or distress, impaired ability to perform normal functions of daily living, hearing voices, substance abuse, and more.

The estimated cost of mental health care nationally is over $150 billion per year, but the higher cost is in the effect which mental illness has on lives of individuals and their loved ones.

These brain disorders are treatable. Just as a person with diabetes takes insulin, most people with serious mental illness need medications to help control symptoms. Supportive counseling, self-help groups, housing, vocational rehabilitation, income assistance and other community services can provide support and stability and contribute to recovery.

Detroit Central City Community Mental Health provides treatment to adults with severe persistent mental illness and substance abuse problems.

For more information on mental illness, consult your health care professional or the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or www.nami.org