• One in four people report they’ve missed work as a result of work-related stress. (APA, 2004)
•  Workplace environments have a greater effect on employee stress levels than the number of hours employees work. (UA, 2003)
• Seventy-five percent of visits to doctors’ offices concern stress-related ailments. (APA, 2004)
• Chronic stress can double a person’s risk of having a heart attack. (BCBS MA, 2004)
• Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. (APA, 2004)
• In a typical workplace with 20 employees, four will likely develop a mental illness this year. (NIMH, 2004)
• Mental health conditions are the second leading cause of workplace absenteeism. (APF, 2004).
• People who have untreated mental health issues use more general health services than those who seek mental health care when they need it. (APA, 2004).
• More than three out of four employees who seek care for workplace issues or mental health problems see substantial improvement in work performance after treatment. (APF, 2003)
• Untreated and mistreated mental illness costs the United States. $105 billion in lost productivity each year, and U.S. businesses foot up to $44 billion of this bill. (BMJ, 1998; NMHA, 2001)
• Anxiety-related disorders cost the United States $42 billion a year in work-related and medical losses. (ADAA, 2004)
• Workers who abuse drugs cost their employers twice as much in medical and worker compensation claims as workers who do not abuse drugs. (NIDA, 2004) Consumers and Recovery
• As many as 8 million Americans who have serious mental illnesses do not receive adequate treatment each year. (HU, 2002)
• Although about 16 percent of American adults will develop depression at some point, only one-fifth will receive the care they need to treat the condition. (JAMA, June 2003)
• An estimated 2.5 million Americans have bipolar disorder. The actual number may be two to three times higher because as many as 80 percent of people with this illness go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. (NMHA, 2003)
• Regular physical exercise can help people reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and enable them to better cope with adversity. (UNM, 2003)
• People who have major depression and anxiety disorders are significantly (60 percent) less likely to relapse if they exercise regularly—and continue exercising over time—than if they take medication alone. (Mayo Clinic, 2003)
• The treatment success rates for such disorders as depression (more than 80 percent), panic disorder (70-90 percent) and schizophrenia (60 percent).

Mental Health Month is an annual observance designed to increase awareness about mental health and mental illness. This year's theme, "Mental Health Matters: In Your Life," reminds Americans that caring for their minds and their bodies helps to keep them productive, healthy and happy in all areas of life, whether at work, at school, or at home.

Good mental health is fundamental to overall health. Good mental health is essential to personal well-being and to the ability to lead a healthy, balanced, and productive life. Mental health problems can impair a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior and can be serious and disabling. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's report on mental health, nearly half of all Americans with a severe mental illness fail to seek treatment. Many people do not receive treatment for mental health problems due to a lack of awareness of the problem, fear of stigma, or lack of access to appropriate services. Yet, overall quality of life is greatly improved when a person with a mental health problem gets an early diagnosis and receives appropriate treatment.

Signs of adult depression

Everyone gets down from time to time, but sometimes it’s more than just “the blues.” Sometimes, it can be clinical depression. Clinical depression affects more than 19 million Americans each year. It is a real illness that can be treated effectively. Unfortunately, fewer than half of the people who have this illness seek treatment. Too many people believe that it is a “normal” part of life and that they can treat it themselves. Left untreated, depression poses a huge burden on employees and employers. It causes unnecessary suffering and disruption in one’s life and work, and costs about $44 billion a year in lost workdays, decreased productivity and other losses.

Adult depression quiz

The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of pleasure and interest in once-enjoyable activities, including sex
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders
• Difficulty concentrating at work or at school, or difficulty remembering things or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thoughts of suicide or death

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you could have clinical depression. See a doctor or qualified mental health professional for help, right away.

Signs of depression in children

Parents and family members are usually the first to notice if a child has problems with emotions or behavior. Your observations, along with those of teachers and other caregivers, can help determine whether you need to seek help for your child.

The following signs may indicate the need for professional help:

• Decline in school performance
• Poor grades despite strong efforts
• Constant worry or anxiety
• Repeated refusal to go to school or to take part in normal activities
• Hyperactivity or fidgeting
• Persistent nightmares
• Persistent disobedience or aggression
• Frequent temper tantrums
• Depression, sadness or irritability

Early identification, diagnosis and treatment can help children reach their full potential. If you suspect a problem or have questions, talk with your child’s pediatrician or contact a mental health professional.

An evaluation may include consultation with a child psychiatrist, psychological testing and medical tests to rule out any physical condition that could be causing the symptoms. A comprehensive treatment plan should include psychotherapy and, in some cases, may include medication. The plan should be developed with the family. Whenever possible, the child should be involved in treatment decisions.