"The most shocking thing about mental illness is how little people understand it."
Mental Illness
Simply saying the words “mental illness” in a room causes unpredictable reactions. Yet, it is far more widespread and common than most people think. Not only are mental illnesses blind to race, nationality, income and religion, but it can strike individuals at any time in their lives.
In the United States population, about 1 in 5 Americans experience some type of mental disorder each year.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 1998
Mental illnesses are biologically-based brain disorders. Types of mental illness include (but are not limited to): schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe-anxiety disorders, eating disorders, manic depression, Tourette's syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, suicide and more.
During the month of October, Lutheran Congregations annually light a candle and say a prayer for persons with mental illness and their families.
All-Lutheran Candlelighting for Mental Illness is sponsored by the Lutheran Network on Mental Illness/Brain Disorders (LNMI), a joint effort of the ELCA and the LutheranChurch - Missouri Synod.
