From the USC Suzanne Dvorak-Peck School of Social Work. 15 Mental Health Facts.

Millions of people quietly battle serious mental health challenges each year. We are all directly or indirectly affected. Below please find some interesting facts that might help better understand and encourage open conversations, sans judgement.

1) Most people living with mental illness lead productive lives despite their challenges.

2) 70-90% of people who seek proper treatment for mental health disorders witness a significant reduction in symptoms.

3) Members of the LGBTQ community are twice as likely as straight indiciduals to have a mental health condition.

4) 20% of youth have a mental condition, with one in 10 young people having experienced a period of major depression.

5) 50.5% of adults in the U.S. who have had a problem with substance abuse also suffer from mental illness.

6) Each year, serious mental illnesses cost the U.S. almost $200 billion in lost earnings.

7) Improving mental health services in low-to-medium income countries is not as costly as some may think. An investment of only $2-4 per capita would have a major impact on millions of lives.

8) By addressing risk factors such as trauma, it is possible to prevent certain mental health disorders, especially in children and adolescents.

9) Treatment for mental health problems doesn't only consist of prescribed or OTC medications. Therapy, yoga, meditation and holistic treatments can all help to assuage symptoms.

10) Mant people do not seek treatment for mental illness due to the assoicated stigma. Only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental illnesses receive treatment.

11) Many factors can lead to mental illness, including genetics, physical illness or injury and other traumatic life experience.