One in 5 American adults will experience mental illness in a given year, and about half of the American population will have a diagnosable mental illness at some point in their life. Still, the stigma attached to these diseases has persisted, leaving those suffering to continue facing discrimination. Whether the stigma comes from outside sources or one’s self, the idea that mental illness is a “bad” thing or something to be ashamed of prevents millions of people from receiving the help they need.
Leaving mental illness untreated can lead to a rapid decline in mental health and an increase in both severity and quantity of symptoms. Sleep disturbance is common across many mental disorders and is extremely prevalent in those who have experienced trauma.