Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Mental illness is common. In a given year: nearly one in five (19 percent) U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness.

Is mental health a real thing?

Real illness

Mental illnesses are as real as diseases such as heart disease or cancer. Understanding that mental illness isn't a weakness or a character flaw helps people get help. Some of the more common mental health problems include: Depression.

Can mental illness be proven?

Psychiatric disorders are not medical diseases. There are no lab tests, brain scans, X-rays or chemical imbalance tests that can verify any mental disorder is a physical condition.