One in five American adults deals with some form of mental illness in any given year. Mental health conditions are not uncommon for our population; one in every 20 adults is living with a serious mental health condition.  The holiday season often worsens conditions; 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays.

A mental illness is described as a medical condition that disrupts a person’s mood, thinking, daily function, feeling, or ability to relate to others. Mental illnesses are a form of medical condition that frequently result in a diminished capacity for dealing with the ordinary demands of life.

Major depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all forms of serious mental illness.

A person does not get a mental illness because of personal weakness, poor upbringing, or lack of character. Mental illnesses can affect anyone regardless of age, race, religion, or income.

Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people who are diagnosed with a serious mental illness can find relief from their symptoms by regularly participating in an individual treatment plan. People are unique so, each person will have different experiences, even people who share the same diagnosis.

Common signs of mental illness are extreme mood changes, avoiding friends and social activities, changes in sleeping habits, changes in eating habits, difficulty perceiving reality (seeing hallucinations), overuse of alcohol or drugs, thinking about suicide, and not being able to perform common daily activities.

If you or a someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, then learning all you can about mental health is an important first step. A good place to learn more is to visit ORSIowa.org.

The Iowa Office of Recovery Services’ website provides information on general mental health resources like Your Life Iowa (855-581-8111) and Iowa Warm Line Peer Support (1-844-775-9276).  The main goal for them is to connect Iowans with referrals and resources for mental health support and substance abuse assistance. What makes the ORS unique is that they approach their work with the perspective of people with lived experience who are in recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Also, the GuideLink Center located at 300 Southgate Avenue Iowa City, IA (319-688-8000) can help you during times of crisis. The services they provide include behavioral health crisis stabilization, sobering services, and detoxification.  This is a walk-in center open 24 hours, 7 days a week that provides urgent care.  You do not have to be a resident of Johnson County to use this service, and individuals over 18 years old will be provided care regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information and assistance, visit iowacrisischat.org.  This is a free, confidential, and secure service, and volunteers are ready to support you if you face emotional crisis.  Help is available 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week, or anytime when you call or text 988.