Kennedy Anderson

Colleen period 1-2

17 November 2016
1

The Plague of our Nation

Mental illness is something the human population has been struggling with for centuries
and we have gotten closer to coming up with a cure or way to eradicate the genes that lead to
mental illnesses through research, studies, and hundreds of years of and trial and error. This is
becoming an increasingly important issue, particularly due to new found illnesses and the
amount of people who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses, and we need to find a solution
as soon as possible. According to The New American, Almost 50 percent of Americans (46.4
percent to be exact) will have a diagnosable mental illness in their lifetimes. That is almost half
of the US population. Mental illness can affect anyone worldwide despite ones class or race. In
addition, one in five kids and teens have a diagnosable mental illness and one in two adults will
in their lifetime, given the significant amount of people impacted by mental illness, research
facilities need to be funded in order to gain a better understanding of mental illnesses, as well as
help and rehabilitate people affected. With the rise in people with mental illnesses, everyone can
and will be affected.
Many believe that mental illnesses can only come from a traumatic event or situation in
ones childhood, but this isn't the case. Mental illnesses are usually caused by one or more of
three things: inherited traits, environmental exposures before birth, and brain chemistry (Mayo
Clinic). Inherited traits are when a blood relative has a mental illness, relatives possessing
mental illnesses increases risk of developing a mental illness or having a life situation trigger it.
Environmental exposures are caused by exposure to toxins such as alcohol or drugs before birth.

According the the Mayo Clinic on brain chemistry, Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring
brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural
networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve
systems change, leading to depression. (Mayo Clinic) These have been linked to mental
illnesses in the past, but despite this, there isn't a set reason one can have mental illness other
than having experienced a trauma or have a specific genetic makeup. No one can be safe from
their own genetic makeup. Thats why this is an increasing issue, with the population rising so is
the risk of a mental illness. Currently more than 50% of the United States population has a
diagnosable mental illness.
A way to help people suffering with mental illnesses is to fully know the illness so
scientists and researchers can take steps to finding the best way to treat it and in order to do this,
research facilities need to be funded. Finding a cure or an effective treatment and funding go
hand and hand. Research facilities are actively trying to find better treatments, and maybe even
eradicate mental illness in the future. According to the National Institute of Health, mental
health facilities received 30 billion dollars in funding from the Federal Government for research
treatments. This is a major improvement compared to 2009 through 2011, when the Federal
Government was only funding 4 billion dollars worth of facilities for the mentally ill, effectively
shutting down important mental health clinics nationwide (Forbes).
On the other hand, some dont see funding research facilities as a good option because it
doesn't have an immediate result, it only affects the future. They believe that they should only be
taxed if the result is instant. Some would rather the Federal Government spend their money on
potholes in the streets, better wages and school systems, which are all valid points. According to

the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens have
a diagnosable psychic disorder. This isn't just affecting adults, its affecting the next generation
of citizens.
This issue could get out of hand fast if not addressed properly. Some mental illnesses
such as depression and bipolar disorder can prohibit one from working, or even getting out of
bed. According to the American Addiction Center, In the United States, over 15 million adults
experience an episode of clinical depression in any given year this is a large portion of the
population. If these people do not get the care they need, what will happen to them? This could
possibly be world altering. If people stopped getting out of bed in the morning, one by one,
society would fall apart. Who would take over these peoples jobs? Who would work in critical
jobs in hospitals, on farms, keeping cities safe? It could lead to anarchy.
Mental illnesses can even make learning a challenge. Funding research facilities won't
affect someones day to day life until new drugs are put on the market, in however long that may
be, but it will be well worth it. With todays technology and drive for finding a cure, facilities
are closer than ever to solving this mystery. Yet, funding only help centers and programs won't
help future generations or make steps to eradicate mental illnesses, it would only prolong
peoples suffering in the future. These help centers aren't used by the majority of the mentally ill
population and although they aren't the worst option one has when seeking help, they cost more
than their worth to keep open and supplied.
Once mental illness is eradicated the Federal Government can spend that 30 billion
dollars on something else that will have the immediate effect people are looking for, potholes in
streets, wages, and funding schools. However, this can only be done if mental illness is uprooted

with science. Scientists can already diagnose mental illnesses with a brain scan and have linked
certain genetic illnesses with an abnormality in chromosomes 1 and 10, what can they do if given
the proper time and funding (NIMH)? A decade ago the iPhone hadn't come out yet, now over
ninety four million people have one (Cnet). Technology moves incredibly fast, the proper
financing can go a long way. Just this last January, there was a breakthrough in the industry,
scientists discovered specific genes that made the patient more or less susceptible to specific
drugs (Psychology Today). Now doctors will be made aware of such genetic information before
they prescribe medications to make them the most successful for each person, creating
personalized medications. This is a huge step in the industry and towards the end goal of a
successful cure, because of cases like this scientists are currently mainly looking at the role
genetics plays in mental health.
Now in the 21st century treatment is more humane and effective, only using proven
methods to help patents. Common treatments include: group programs such as rehab, therapy,
and medications. There are many different types of therapy that help with different mental
disorders, from cognitive behavioral therapy, a short term therapy with a set goal, which helps
people who are trying to overcome substance abuse, it also helps with anxiety and depression.
Another type is exposure therapy, about a three month treatment that helps people with PTSD
confront trauma and overcome its effects (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs). Programs such
as addiction rehabilitation centers and Its Up To Us( a nationwide program that will take steps
to get people the help they need, from family support to helping people with mental illnesses)
are slowly but surely trying to get support to everyone who needs it and who will accept their
help. Because mental health issues are commonly genetic, meaning they are passed down family

lines, the issue of mental health can affect anyone, no one is immune. If this goes overlooked the
future could look very different. Rehabilitation centers would be at capacity, people wouldn't be
able to work due to their illness, and society would slowly stop functioning.
What would a future without mental illness look like? Without almost half the
population living with a mental illness some point in their life? Ideally, there wouldn't be
shootings linked to mental illness or people who cant work because of their illness. There is a
growing population with mental health issues that needs to be addressed and people need to
realize how common its becoming, research facilities are needed more than ever when outdated
treatments fail. Technology is closer now than ever to coming up with new developments that
will help eliminate mental illnesses for good and create a more positive and promising future for
everyone.

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