Mental health in America is overlooked.

The stigmatization and stereotyping of mental disorders greatly affect those who are suffering. In a world where modern medicine dominates and people are quick to go to the doctor for any type of ailment, people aren’t so quick to receive treatment for mental health problems.

This is a growing problem as 1 in 5 Americans has or will suffer from a mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and only 41 percent will seek treatment.

With Mental Health Awareness Month coming up in February, this topic is becoming increasingly important.

The problem with February is that it’s dark, rainy and depressing — quite literally. Dreary weather has a direct effect on mental health, even if we don’t realize it. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the extreme version of the “winter blues,” affecting about 5 percent of America’s population every year, according to Mental Health America.

It’s important to seek help as soon as possible because depression is a crippling and nasty disease that attacks one’s happiness and motivation to do absolutely anything.

But 56 percent of people with mental disorders suffer silently and don’t receive care, according to Mental Health America. This is also a growing problem. In 2011, 8.5 percent of adolescents were diagnosed with depression, while 11.1 percent were diagnosed in 2014. 

The lack of willingness to seek treatment may be due to the stigma of mental health or the way in which we view it in America.

Stigmas surrounding mental health include the misconception that mental disorders are few and far between. As previously stated, we know that is false. Furthermore, people wrongly believe that those with mental illnesses are incapable of everyday functioning and that they should be able to easily reach out for help.

Sadly, it’s much harder for people with mental illnesses to speak up and get help because of these preconceived ideas.

It’s easy to see how we ended up where we are today. Novels like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and movies like “Shutter Island,” which both depict a scary and controlling approach to mental health treatment, give people the notion that mental health treatment is the same way.

But these bits of pop culture are based on some truth. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud introduced an array of disturbing and dramatic methods to treat mental illnesses, some of which included the ever famous lobotomy and electroshock therapies. These bizarre tactics paved the way for viewing those with mental disorders as insane, whether clinically or not.

Fortunately today, these treatments are almost or completely obsolete and have been replaced by drugs and clinical therapies. For most, the successes of these treatments are unknown as people forgo care. This is a dangerous and possibly life-threatening issue.

Prolonged symptoms of mental illnesses and depression can cause weight loss, insomnia, self-injury and suicidal thoughts and ideations, along with much more. Sadly, it sometimes takes some of the more extreme symptoms in order for someone to start getting help, and for others, it’s too late. Suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

Consequences of forgoing treatment are substantial. The United States loses about $193.2 billion in earnings every year due to serious mental illnesses.

An average of 18 to 22 American veterans are lost each day to suicide, and more than 90 percent of children who die by suicide have a mental illness. These are difficult facts to face, especially knowing that these statistics could be diminished with destigmatization and proper care.

It’s important to recognize mental health because its stigmas are real and serious threats to our health care system and those suffering from mental disorders. Those who are suffering are left feeling alone and silenced in their pain, unable to reach out for fear of ridicule or being stereotyped. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms or struggling with a mental illness, I encourage you to seek help. Getting care is nothing to be ashamed of but is something to be proud of. Reach out to someone you trust and confide in them and I encourage you to use the Student Counseling Services located in the Student Services Building on campus. You have the power to change how you feel, but you can’t go through it alone.