Essay On Mental Illness In America

The United States of America is considered by most standards to be one of the most powerful, influential, and productive countries in the world, with a population of over three hundred million citizens, and a gross domestic product of almost seventeen and a half trillion dollars (World Bank). Yet beneath the surface of this magnificent nation there lies a tragic truth. The reality is, underneath the glorious lifestyles and towering cities, the United States is sick with a disease that affects nearly twenty percent of its populace (Bekiempis). Mental illness is the general term used to describe this “disease,” which includes a number of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress syndrome to name a few. These disorders can occur due to a multitude of reasons, however there are a specific set of circumstances that often induce and promote mental illness. Typically, it …show more content…
Poverty fosters opportunities for the development of more illness, if it does not already exist in poor families. Simply stated, “the stresses associated with low socioeconomic status lead to [a] higher [prevalence in] mental illness” (Florida Council for Community Mental Health). These stresses often include but are not limited to “substance abuse, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, [and] impoverished or violent neighborhoods” (Davis). The result of these factors alone is a higher rate of posttraumatic stress disorder for children growing up in these conditions. Factoring in mental illness among the parental generation adds a whole new series of illnesses that can be imparted onto the filial generation. The overall effect is “more dysregulated behaviors [and] negative outcomes in schools, communities, [and] the legal system” (Davis), which “lead to poor work, career, and marriage