About Mental Illness - NAMI California (2024)

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

  • About Mental Illness
  • About Mental Health Conditions
  • Facts About Mental Health
  • California Mental Health Statistics
  • Crisis Support

About Mental Illness

About Mental Health Conditions

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental health conditions include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental health conditions is that recovery is possible.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental health conditions cannot be overcome through will power and are not related to a person’s character or intelligence, but they are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.

Find out more in our directory of mental health conditions.

Facts About Mental Health

The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 10 percent of children and adolescents in the United States suffer from serious emotional and mental disorders that cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school, and with peers.

The World Health Organization has reported that 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries are mental disorders. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

Mental illness usually strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering. Untreated mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and suicide, and poor quality of life. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have a significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.

With appropriate effective medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their conditions and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process.

Early identification and treatment are of vital importance; by ensuring access to the treatment and recovery supports that are proven effective, recovery is accelerated and the further harm related to the course of illness is minimized.

Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. Our society has allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down.

Learn more facts about the impacts of mental illness.

California Mental Health Statistics

1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. In California, 1,243,000 adults have a serious mental illness.

1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year. 396,000 Californians age 12–17 have depression. In California, 1,243,000 adults have a serious mental illness.

5,566,000 adults in California have a mental health condition. That’s more than 6x the population of San Francisco.

More than half of people with a mental health condition in the U.S. did not receive any treatment in the last year. Of the 1,562,000 adults in California who did not receive needed mental health care, 35.3% did not because of cost. 7.8% of people in the state are uninsured.

Californians are over 5x more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental health care than for primary health care — making it more difficult to find care and less affordable due to higher out-of-pocket costs. 9,398,534 people in California live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals.

More than half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health. In February 2021, 46.1% of adults in California reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. 21.9% were unable to get needed counseling or therapy.

More in NAMI’s California State Fact Sheet (PDF)

More Information & Resources

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Learn more about the different types of mental illnesses.

Mental Health Facts & Statistics

Learn more about the impacts of mental illness.

Warning Signs of Mental Illness

Find out about warning sign of mental health conditions

Reducing Stigma

Learn more about the ways to help reduce the stigma of mental illness.

Community Stories

Read some personal stories of individuals and families who are facing challenges related to mental illness.

Mental Illness FAQs

Learn more about frequently asked questions about mental illness and SSI.

Navigating a Mental Health Crisis

Learn more about how to navigate times of crisis.

What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide

Learn more about warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and what you can do to support a suicidal loved one in a crisis.

Crisis Support

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text NAMI to741-741to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

NAMI Helpline: Call1-800-950-NAMI(6264) M–F, 7 am to 5 pm PT for free mental health info, referrals and support.More from NAMI.Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264

CalHOPE support during the pandemic

Top Helpline Resources

Navigating a Mental Health Crisis

Suicide Prevention Guide

About Mental Illness - NAMI California (2024)

FAQs

About Mental Illness - NAMI California? ›

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

What does NAMI do for mental health? ›

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

What is a mental illness according to NAMI? ›

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others.

What types of illnesses are discussed on NAMI? ›

Common with Mental Illness
  • Anosognosia.
  • Autism.
  • Risk of Suicide.
  • Self-harm.
  • Sleep Disorders.
  • Smoking.
  • Substance Use Disorders.

Does California Medi Cal cover mental health? ›

Services covered by Medi-Cal include outpatient mental health services such as individual or group counseling, outpatient specialty mental health services, inpatient mental health services, outpatient substance use disorder services, residential treatment services, and voluntary inpatient detoxification.

What are the 4 types of mental health? ›

mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) anxiety disorders. personality disorders. psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)

What is considered serious mental illness? ›

SMI includes major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (VA).

What are the top 4 mental illnesses? ›

Below are the five most common mental health disorders in America and their related symptoms:
  • Anxiety Disorders. The most common category of mental health disorders in America impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. ...
  • Mood Disorders. ...
  • Psychotic Disorders. ...
  • Dementia. ...
  • Eating disorders.
Jan 30, 2020

What are the three types of mental ill health? ›

Types of mental health problems
  • Anger. Explains what anger is, and how to deal with it in a constructive and healthy way.
  • Anxiety and panic attacks. ...
  • Bipolar disorder. ...
  • Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) ...
  • Borderline personality disorder (BPD) ...
  • Depression. ...
  • Dissociation and dissociative disorders. ...
  • Eating problems.

What are 4 characteristics of mental illness? ›

Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate. Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt. Extreme mood changes of highs and lows. Withdrawal from friends and activities.

What is the most common mental disorder? ›

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 1 in every 5 Americans is currently living with a mental illness. Of those, the three most common diagnoses are anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Are all mental illnesses considered disabilities? ›

Mental illness is a disability when it disrupts performance and negatively influences a person's day-to-day activities. The degree and extent that a person's functioning is impaired is another important factor in defining mental health disability.

What is the most common form of serious mental illness? ›

Right now, nearly 10 million Americans are living with a serious mental disorder. The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder.

Is mental illness a disability in California? ›

Disability is an illness or injury, either physical or mental, which prevents you from performing your regular and customary work. Disability also includes elective surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions.

What is considered a mental disability in California? ›

Mental disability is defined as a mental or psychological disorder or condition, such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disability, that limit a major life activity.

How much time off for mental health California? ›

Sometimes it's necessary to take off multiple weeks in order to cope with a psychiatric crisis. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in the event of an illness or to help care for a family member who is sick.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›

Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPDs) become overwhelmed and incapacitated by the intensity of their emotions, whether it is joy and elation or depression, anxiety, and rage. They are unable to manage these intense emotions.

What are the 10 most common mental illnesses? ›

On this page
  • Anxiety disorders.
  • Behavioural and emotional disorders in children.
  • Bipolar affective disorder.
  • Depression.
  • Dissociation and dissociative disorders.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder.
  • Paranoia.

What can trigger mental illness? ›

What causes mental health problems?
  • childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect.
  • social isolation or loneliness.
  • experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism.
  • social disadvantage, poverty or debt.
  • bereavement (losing someone close to you)
  • severe or long-term stress.
  • having a long-term physical health condition.

What is the easiest mental disorder to treat? ›

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses, and they are also the most treatable. Unfortunately, only about one quarter of the victims ever seek treatment.

What happens if I can't work due to mental illness? ›

If you are unable to work due to a mental illness, you should consider applying for Social Security Disability Benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will look at your case individually to determine if your condition is severe enough to qualify for benefits.

What is the most treatable mental illness? ›

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.

How do people with bipolar think? ›

Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

Can mental illness be cured? ›

At this time, most mental illnesses cannot be cured, but they can usually be treated effectively to minimize the symptoms and allow the individual to function in work, school, or social environments. To begin treatment, an individual needs to see a qualified mental health professional.

What is the difference between mental ill and mental illness? ›

While mental health refers to anyone's state of mental, emotional well-being, mental illnesses are diagnosed conditions that affect thoughts and behaviors. Though anyone can have moments of poor mental health, not everyone has a mental illness.

How do you help someone with mental health issues? ›

What emotional support can I offer?
  • Listen. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they're feeling, can be really helpful in itself. ...
  • Offer reassurance. Seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. ...
  • Stay calm. ...
  • Be patient. ...
  • Try not to make assumptions. ...
  • Keep social contact.

What is stage 3 mental illness? ›

At Stage 3, symptoms have continued to increase in severity, and many symptoms are often taking place at the same time. A person may feel as though they are losing control of their life and the ability to fill their roles at home, work or school.

How does a mentally ill person behave? ›

The outward signs of a mental illness are often behavioral. A person may be extremely quiet or withdrawn. Conversely, they may burst into tears, have great anxiety or have outbursts of anger. Even after treatment has started, someindividuals with a mental illness can exhibit anti-social behaviors.

How do you deal with a mentally unstable family member? ›

What can I do?
  1. Learn about mental illness and addiction. ...
  2. Talk to your family member about your concerns, and encourage them to seek support. ...
  3. Get support for yourself and your family. ...
  4. Take care of yourself. ...
  5. Support other family members.

How do you treat mental illness without medication? ›

Things like therapy, brain stimulation, supplements, and self-care are scientifically-backed as effective ways to reduce the symptoms of certain mental illnesses.

What is the signs of anxiety? ›

These can include:
  • a churning feeling in your stomach.
  • feeling light-headed or dizzy.
  • pins and needles.
  • feeling restless or unable to sit still.
  • headaches, backache or other aches and pains.
  • faster breathing.
  • a fast, thumping or irregular heartbeat.
  • sweating or hot flushes.

How to diagnose mental illness? ›

To determine a diagnosis and check for related complications, you may have:
  1. A physical exam. Your doctor will try to rule out physical problems that could cause your symptoms.
  2. Lab tests. These may include, for example, a check of your thyroid function or a screening for alcohol and drugs.
  3. A psychological evaluation.
Dec 13, 2022

Is anxiety a form of mental illness? ›

Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition. Anxiety makes it difficult to get through your day. Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.

How much money do you get for bipolar disability? ›

Generally, SSDI payments can range from an average of $800 and $1800 per month, although those amounts can be more or less depending upon your particular circ*mstances.

How much does SSI pay for schizophrenia? ›

Qualifying for Long-Term Disability with Schizophrenia

These benefits are usually paid at a rate of 50 to 60% of your monthly salary and may last for anywhere from 24 months to retirement age. Many LTD insurance policies — both individual and group — have specific exclusions for mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Can I get disability for anxiety and depression? ›

The good news is that those with either depression and anxiety can qualify for SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration has a process for evaluating your right to collect Social Security disability benefits based on claims of a mental health problem.

When should you walk away from someone with mental illness? ›

As much as you might love or care for the individual, if they are emotionally, mentally, or physically abusive, it is okay to step away from the situation. Some examples of emotional, mental, and physical abuse include: Emotional & Mental Abuse: Being dissatisfied, no matter how hard you try or how much you give.

How long does mental illness last? ›

Mental illness is most often not 'permanent' in the sense that its effects are not consistent over time, though the pattern of impairment and functioning can persist for many years.

What are the most complex mental illnesses? ›

Complex mental health issues are impactful, severe, enduring, or episodic. They can involve high levels of psychological distress, exposure to trauma, and/or conditions such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder.

How much does disability pay a month in California? ›

Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) depends on your annual income. It is estimated as 60 to 70 percent of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date and up to the maximum WBA. Note: Your claim start date is the date your disability begins. We will calculate your WBA using a base period.

Can a therapist put you on disability in California? ›

All medical doctors, osteopaths, psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose and treat disabilities, so all of these professions are allowed to sign off on a disability verification form.

How do I get mental health disability in California? ›

Online: You can apply online at Social Security's website. Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA's toll free customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) In-person: You can apply in person at your local Social Security field office.

Who is eligible for permanent disability in California? ›

Be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight days. Have lost wages because of your disability. Be employed or actively looking for work at the time your disability begins. Have earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions were withheld during your base period.

How long does it take to get disability in California? ›

Once we receive your completed claim application, we will determine your eligibility. You can expect this process to take up to 14 days. Note: Processing time may vary depending upon the claim. If your claim is incomplete or requires additional information, confirming eligibility can be delayed.

How long can you be on disability in California? ›

How long can I collect Disability Insurance benefits? You can collect up to 52 weeks of full Disability Insurance (DI) benefits, or the amount of wages in your base period, whichever is less.

What happens during a 72 hour psych hold in California? ›

5150 or 72 hour hold

This 72 hour period is sometimes referred to as an “observation period”. During this 72 hour period, the treatment team assesses whether the patient meets criteria for involuntary hospitalization. The law mandates that all patients must be treated in the least restrictive setting possible.

Can I take medical leave for mental health in California? ›

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave to address mental health conditions.

Is anxiety a disability in California? ›

Certain mental conditions, including depression and anxiety, are considered disabilities under the Social Security Act.

What has NAMI accomplished? ›

Advocacy and Public Policy

NAMI is recognized as the preeminent voice on Capitol Hill and in State Legislatures across the country advocating on behalf of those living with mental illness and their families.

What power does NAMI have? ›

Nami possesses several abilities. She can tell climate changes and draw sea charts. She is also a pickpocket.

Does NAMI care about people? ›

Although she can tend to come off as violent and angry, Nami does genuinely care for, respect, and value Sanji like everyone else in the crew.

What role does NAMI play? ›

An aquatic search and rescue med-bot whose manufacturer was acquired in an aggressive corporate takeover, Nami has been irreversibly changed by the directives of Program. For now, she continues in her primary function… though her behavior has become increasingly erratic.

Is National Alliance on Mental Illness reliable? ›

It is an excellent resource and is highly recommended as a consumer health website for mental disorders and mental illness.

How does National Alliance on Mental Illness make money? ›

Drug Makers Are Advocacy Group's Biggest Donors

The New York Times revealed in Oct. 2009 that the US Senate had to force National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to disclose that a majority of its money is from psychiatric drug companies, a fact that NAMI's board kept secret for years.

Who does NAMI trust the most? ›

Nami has shown she has absolute faith in Luffy's strength, something she has proudly talked about multiple times. Whenever Luffy is around she gains a boost in confidence and trusts him to keep her safe, even if he can be an idiot.

Is Nami good or bad? ›

Nami will do anything for money. She has been known to steal, plunder, and gush over gold and other treasure. Given her history with the Arlong pirates, her predilection for securing and saving money makes sense. However, her greediness can reach extreme levels and sometimes harms her friends.

Who gets with Nami? ›

Nami and Sanji, the pairing the manga itself harps on most, as well as the one most fans talk about. Some are against it due to how big of a perv Sanji is and how he loves every woman he sees.

Why is Nami so powerful? ›

Physical Abilities

Nami had spent several years from her tender childhood to her young adult life stealing money from numerous people including dangerous pirates to buy back her village from the Arlong Pirates, these harsh and sometimes brutal experiences grants Nami a very high level of physical capabilities.

What personality trait is Nami? ›

Nami is an ESTJ personality type. She is reliable and you can count on her to stick to her word. Steadfast and self-assured, she is drawn to positions of leadership. Living life by rules and social norms is important to people of the ESTJ personality type.

Who is Nami closest to? ›

Nami:
  • Luffy.
  • Usopp.
  • Chopper.
  • Robin.
  • Sanji.
  • Zoro.
  • Brook.
  • Franky.
Oct 10, 2016

What is the IQ of Nami? ›

Nami - 135. she s rather canny but she also weather scientist; Chopper - 120.

How much does Nami cost? ›

$60 per year for a Household membership that includes all members of a household living at the same address. $40 per year for a Regular membership which is an individual membership for one person.

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