May Awareness Tree- Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In these times, awareness of this issue is even more important. There are any estimated 11.2 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with serious mental illness, this number represents 4.5% of all U.S. adults. Of those identified with serious mental illness, only about 43% receive any sort of treatment. Nearly 20% of the individuals suffering from serious mental illness are also homeless. The District Attorney's Office recognizes this an issue that affects our society as a whole as well having a specific impact on the criminal justice system. Nearly 2 million people with mental illness are booked into county jails each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into county jails have a serious mental health conditions. An astonishing 70% of the youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health conditions. Of those with mental illness, about 20% "self medicate" through illicit drugs.

If this issue touches one you love, one you know, or just one in your community, it touches you. The Office of the District Attorney encourages understanding mental illness and its impact on all of us.