15 Mental Health Facts

2016 marks the 15^th year for The Kim Foundation as a local nonprofit and mental health advocate.  We have dedicated ourselves to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness by being a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives touched by mental illness and suicide. When you look at the 15 mental health statistics listed below, it is apparent that our work remains a priority for us to see positive change in the mental health field.

• 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness
• Nearly 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. live with a serious mental illness
• 6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder
• 9% of adults in the U.S. live with major depression
• Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the U.S.

• 1 in 5 children ages 13 -18 have or will have a serious mental illness
• 11% of youth have a mood disorder
• 10% of youth have a behavior or conduct disorder
• Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 – 24
• 90% of those youth who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness

• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide
• 9% of adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in the past year
• About 26% of homeless adults in shelters live with serious mental illness
• About 24% of state prisoners have a recent history of a mental health condition
• Nearly 60% of adults with mental illness did not receive mental health services in the past year

The statistics are eye opening, but we stand by our efforts and believe that mental illness is treatable.  Choosing the right combination of treatment and support is important in the recovery process.  Developing a plan to include counseling, medications, support groups, and education will aid in your recovery and healing.  The Kim Foundation is here to connect you to the resources that will enable you to start the recovery process.  Healing is possible!

For more information, go to NAMI’s Mental Health Facts in America, www.nami.org

Lori Atkinson, Operations Assistant for The Kim Foundation

Lori Atkinson joined The Kim Foundation in May 2015 as an Operations Assistant.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UNL in Middle Level Education. She was an 8^th grade English teacher in the Omaha Public Schools for ten years and started a small non-profit in her husband’s memory in 2010. Lori assists with many of the day-to-day tasks for The Kim Foundation which includes scheduling presentations in the community, coordinating booths at conferences, attending mental health trainings, researching mental illness/suicide, and working community events.  Lori is the proud mom of three children and is actively involved in her church.