Mental health issues affect us all, either directly or through the people we love. Mental illness weaves itself through all aspects of our lives: physical health, parenting, work, childbearing, finances, caregiving, and common daily activities. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, or go to school with your children.
Mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to substance abuse problems. Conversely, using substances can worsen mental health conditions in some people. Those who suffer from a chronic condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes have a greater risk of developing a mental disorder such as depression, while individuals with depression have a greater risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer.
The tragic and devastating effects of mental illnesses touch people of all ages, genders, and cultures. These effects exact an even greater toll on the overall health and productivity of racial and ethnic minorities. Women are at particular risk due to factors such as family responsibilities, women’s higher rates of poverty, their greater risk of depression and anxiety disorders, and their vulnerability to sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Explore the publications below to learn how the Surgeon General is building public awareness of the importance of mental health to overall well-being and helping to eliminate disparities in the availability, accessibility, and utilization of mental health services.
| Title | Type | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon General's Workshop on Women's Mental Health | Workshop | 2006 |
| Report of a Surgeon General's Working Meeting on The Integration of Mental Health Services and Primary Health Care | Working Meeting | 2001 |
| Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity | Report Supplement | 2001 |
| Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health | Conference | 2000 |
| The Surgeon General's Workshop on Self-Help and Public Health | Workshop | 1987 |
| Report of the Surgeon General's Workshop on Pornography and Public Health | Workshop | 1986 |
