Sixty million US adults suffered from mental illness in 2011 and 11 million were serious enough that they had major difficulty with at least one or major life activities. This came at a cost of $300 billion in 2002 and is likely much greater today. Twenty three percent of women and 17% of men were mentally illand 30% of those between the ages of 18 and 25 and 14% of those over the age of 50 suffered from mental illness. Suicide is considered by nearlyl 9 million and more than a million actually attempted suicide. Substance abuse is present in 25% with serious mental illness.
What is happening? Our dysfunctional culture and dysfunctional family lives have much to do with becoming mentally ill. Our value system has led to materialistic and competitive values that don't serve us well. It is time for a social transformation that is centered on service, giving, sharing, loving, and caring for one another...
