Mental Health and Illness

In 2009, proceeds benefited three organizations Pro-Act, CAACY (Community Advocates’ Association for Children and Youth, Inc.) and Albert Einstein Outpatient Mental Health Center.  Each of these organizations are dedicated to providing mental health and illness education, resources and services to the under served population.    Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder.  Mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture.

• Why Mental Health and Illness? All persons in life are affected and/or effected by psychological and social adversity and stressful life events.  Some stressors are so powerful that they would evoke significant emotional distress in most otherwise mentally healthy people; during these times talking with a professional can be wise and beneficial.  However, typically seeking counseling and/or therapy has been taboo in many minority and faith populations.

• Additionally, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, this is an estimated 57.7 million people.   Untreated, under treated and undiagnosed mental health and mental illness issues cost employers and Americans, millions of dollars each year.  We pray that this focus will dispel the myths and empower persons to seek out the assistance they need.