Suicide And Suicide

A mental illness is any type of condition that affects the mood, thinking or behavior of an individual according to the Mayo Clinic (Staff, 1). The article “ 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health”, states that over 45.1 million adults have been diagnosed with a mental illness in the past year, and out of those 45.1 million, 40% receive no treatment at all (1). Finding help for these individuals is becoming increasingly difficult each day with budget cuts, institution shut downs, and rising costs for care. Those diagnosed often find themselves in jails, homeless shelters, or,more often than not, dead because they are unable to receive the care they need. The federal government supplies minimum funding, and it is not nearly enough to …show more content…
Suicide claims the lives of 38,000 Americans a year. This is more than car accidents, prostate cancer or homicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Szabo, 3). All of these deaths could of been prevented with the right programs in place. Studies have found that those affected by a mental illness will die up to 23 to 25 years earlier than those that are not affected (Szabo, 2). Anywhere from 18 to 22 veterans affected with a mental illness die every day by suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 24 and the second leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24 (Duckworth, 1). All of these deaths are preventable. All of these people could have been saved. Recovery is possible for everyone affected. Major depression has a recovery rate of 70% through treatment. Roughly 80% of people recover from bipolar disorder. Between 70% and 90% of people partially or fully recover with the help of programs and the support of others (“Facts and Stats about Mental Illness, Alcohol and Drug Addiction and Suicide”, 3). Sometimes jail becomes one of these rehabilitation …show more content…
These programs can help pay rent for a few months, help cover utility bills, and can sometimes help set up possible employment. These programs are here to help the homeless get back on their feet and start over again. Although several individuals turn to homeless shelters there are other options that can help the mentally ill. Individuals that suffer from a mental illness often experience recurring homelessness and are turned away, being forced to live in the streets. There are few programs dedicated strictly to the support of the mentally ill homeless. One program could make the difference to thousands of people. Unfortunately programs like these are not getting the funding they require or