Depression and Mental Health Conditions
Depression is an illness that causes you to feel sad, lose interest in activities that you’ve always enjoyed, withdraw from others and have little energy. It’s different from normal feelings of sadness, grief or low energy. Depression can also cause people to feel hopeless about the future and even think about suicide.
Many people, and sometimes their families, feel embarrassed or ashamed about having depression. Don’t let these feelings stand in the way of getting treatment. Remember that depression is a common illness. It affects the young and old, men and women, all ethnic groups, and all professions.
If you think you may be depressed, tell your doctor. Treatment can help you enjoy life again. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will feel better.1
Depression is a leading cause of disability in the US.2 Of the 19.4 million individuals who experience depression, 34% do not receive treatment3 which can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit their ability to engage in important life activities.
Mental Health Condition-Specific Information and Resources
Depression is a serious illness that drains your energy, hope and drive, making it difficult to take the steps that will help you to feel better. While overcoming depression isn’t quick or easy, it’s possible. Learn more about how to recognize the signs of depression, and what you can do to receive the treatment you deserve.
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Stress affects everyone, and can build up in all sorts of ways. Feeling stressed can be beneficial at times, producing a boost that provides the drive and energy to help you get through situations like exams or work deadlines. However, an extreme amount of stress can have negative health consequences and take a severe emotional toll. Learn how to recognize when you or someone you care about is feeling too stressed out and how to manage it.
Everyone feels nervous or anxious at one time or another. But when frequent, powerful feelings of fear or dread cause people to feel they have lost control over their lives, they may have an anxiety disorder. Learn more about the signs and symptoms and how you can help yourself if you struggle with anxiety.
We can all help prevent suicide. A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn’t mean that help isn’t wanted. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. Learn more about how to talk about suicidal thoughts and feelings and how you can support someone who feels suicidal.
Find comprehensive resources addressing suicide prevention here and selected materials below.
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2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental Health Awareness. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/diseases/mental.htm
3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2019 NSDUH Detailed Tables. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2019-nsduh-detailed-tables