Klamath County Mental Health

When to seek help

Mental illnesses are
physical brain disorders
that profoundly disrupt a
person's ability to think,
feel, and relate to others
and their environment.

We at KCMH encourage you or your loved ones to seek help when experiencing:

  • Changes in daily routine (such as sleeping or eating more or less, unexplained physical problems)
  • Confused thinking or speech
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Denial (refusing to admit there may be a problem, or to seek help)
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Prolonged depression
  • Inability to cope with daily activities
  • Excessive mood swings
  • Excessive fears, worries or anxiety
  • Strong feelings of anger
  • Suicidal thoughts or threats
  • Withdrawal from family life, friends and usual activity

Mental Illness Facts

  • Mental illnesses are physical brain disorders that profoundly disrupt a person’s ability to think, feel, and relate to others and their environment.
  • Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
  • In 1990, five million adult Americans were diagnosed as suffering from a severe mental disorder - disorders with psychotic symptoms such as manic depressive disorder, clinical depression, and schizophrenia.
  • One in every five families is affected in their lifetime by a severe mental illness.
  • A conservative estimate is that a total of 12% (7.5 million) of the country’s 63 million youth under age 18 have mental, behavioral or developmental disorders. Yet, only one fifth of the children and adolescents who need mental health treatment receive it.
  • Today, due to ongoing research, about 90% of people with mental disorders will improve or recover if they get appropriate treatment. An accurate diagnosis by a doctor or mental health professional is critical to ensure proper care.
  • The number one reason for hospital admissions nationwide is some type of biological psychiatric condition. At any moment, almost 21% of all hospital beds are filled by people with mental illness. The total price tag of mental illnesses in this country is estimated to be $81 billion, including direct costs (hospitalization, medications) and indirect costs (lost wages, family care giving, losses due to suicide).
  • Preventative care and early intervention are critical factors in reducing these costs and in reducing the incidence of serious mental illness. There is a pressing national need for expanded insurance coverage that focuses on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
  • It is the stigma of mental illness that makes dealing with it so difficult for families and persons affected. Stigma means “damage to a reputation.“ It’s the subtle and not-so-subtle shame and ridicule that our society places on mental illness. Stigma keeps people with mental illnesses in the closet. It prevents them from seeking treatment. It stifles funding for services, research and insurance coverage. Stigma closes minds and fuels discrimination. It is ironic that stigma still exists at a time when treatment works so well.
  • “...Ignorance feeds alarm. It grows into suspicion, then dread. Prejudice follows. That leads to discrimination against the mentally ill in housing, employment education and social life.“ “The prejudice is unfair and harmful to both the community and those with the illnesses.“ Oregonian reporter Robert Landauer (12/19/200).