Members

General Mental Health

Need mental health help? Dial 988 for free confidential help from the National Suicide Lifeline. Call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. 

Trying to tell the difference between expected or typical behaviors and signs of a mental health condition isn't always easy. There's no easy test that shows mental illness. There is no test that shows whether actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of mental illness.

Each mental health condition has its own symptoms. But, common signs of mental health conditions in adults and adolescents can include the following: (Note: An individual might show one or more of these signs.)

  • Excessive worrying or fear
  • Feeling excessively sad, overwhelmed, or low
  • Confused thinking or problems with concentrating and learning
  • Extreme mood changes like strong feelings of excitement or anger
  • Avoiding social activities
  • Difficulties with relationships with family, friends, or work
  • Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
  • Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Not finding joy in hobbies, outings or other activities
  • Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
  • Thinking about suicide, harming yourself or others
  • An inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

 

Mental health conditions can also develop in young children. Because they’re still learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions. The most obvious symptoms of mental health conditions in children can be behavioral or physical. Symptoms may include the following:

  • Changes in school performance
  • Lack of interest in friends or family
  • Stomach aches, headaches, or other body pains
  • Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Frequent nightmares
  • Frequent emotional outbursts or aggression
  • Frequent temper tantrums

 

Mental Health Facts in the United States

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, this is about 51.5 million U.S. adults, but only about half (44.8%) receive mental health treatment(s)
  • 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year, this is about 13.1 million U.S. adults, and about 65.5% receive treatment
  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
  • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

 

Where to Get Help

Don’t be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.

Reach out to Molina Member Service, your primary care doctor, or the Washington State/county mental health (MH) authority for more resources or click on the links below.

 

Resources for Other General Mental Health Conditions