Mental Illness Facts

 

1. Half of mental disorders manifest by age fourteen (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 153).

2. Aside from genetics or other biological factors, circumstances that increase a child’s risk for developing mental disorders include physical, sexual, or substance abuse, running away from home, abusing others, family violence, and institutionalization of a sibling or guardian or felony conviction of drug abuse of a sibling or guardian. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 153).

3. 25% of homeless individuals have a serious mental illness and about 1/2 of these individuals also have co-occurring disorders (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p. 154).

4. 46% of all Americans will endure at least some form of a mental illness during the course of their lifetime (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, p.145)

5. Clients who have co-occurring disorders may experience greater struggles because it can be a challenge for both illnesses to be treated certain complications, as it may be difficult to effectively be treated for both illnesses. As a result, social workers help clients find techniques and programs that best fit their client’s needs. (Lecture notes 4/21/2016)

6. Often, there is no easily identifiable cause for mental illness. Many obscure factors can contribute to causing a mental illness. (Lecture notes 4/21/2016)

7. Mental health social workers can work in emergency medicine, psychiatric services, hospitals, residential programs, partial hospital programs, and outpatient services. (DiNitto & McNeece, 2008, pg. 145)