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About
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HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

About Mental Health

What is Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.1 Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Mental Health is Important to your Health

Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health.  For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.

Your Mental Health Can Change Over Time

Yes, it’s important to remember that a person’s mental health can change over time, depending on many factors.  When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health could be impacted. For example, if someone is working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship, they may experience poor mental health.

Causes of Mental Illness

There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)

  • Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury, cancer, or diabetes

  • Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain

  • Use of alcohol or drugs

  • Having feelings of loneliness or isolation

HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Mental Health Statistics

Statistics

How Common is Mental Illness

Mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in the United States:

  • More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness

  • Over 1 in 5 youth ages 13-18 either currently or at some point during their lives, have had a serious debilitating mental illness

  • About 1 in 25 U.S. adults live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 10 and 14 years of age

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Mental Illness in Washington, D.C.

Mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in Washington, D.C.:

  • One in 5 D.C. residents will experience a mental health illness in their lifetime.

  • In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents (ages 12-17)

  • Opioids use continue to be the primary driver of increases in drug overdose deaths in D.C.

  • Around 63.6 per 100,000 D.C. residents have overdosed, twice the national average

  • More than 30.7 percent of D.C. residents report symptoms of anxiety

     

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

HUH Mental Health Fair

Health Fair

Howard University Hospital Front Pavilion

Wednesday, May 29th; 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And each year, Howard University Hospital (HUH) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S., affected by this illness. 

On Wednesday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m., the HU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences will host a mental health fair on the HUH front pavilion. The event will feature health screenings and resources, giveaways and music for the entire community.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Mental Health Resources

Resources

Where to Get Help

The District of Columbia offers an abundance of available behavioral (Mental Health) resources and professional counseling services for city residents. 

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N.A.M.I.

The National Alliance on Mental illness provides a multitude of behavioral health resources and services dedicated to help D.C. residents cope with mental illness. 

Contact Our Experts

The Howard University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences provides treatment and peer recovery services for patients dealing with mental health issues.

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