Mental Illness

A mental illness, also known as a mental health disorder, is a diagnosable condition that impacts a person’s thinking, emotional state and behavior, and impairs their ability to carry out daily activities and engage in satisfying personal relationships. There are about 300 currently identified mental illnesses according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The full list can be found in the DSM.

There is still much we do not know about mental illness. But today, many mental illnesses can be successfully managed. In addition to clicical care, we recommend using an app like Even Mind (opens in a new tab) to track and understand your symptoms.

Mental illness is only one kind of mental unhealth. You can have poor mental health without having a diagnosable mental illness.

How common is mental illness?

Globally, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. In any given year, about 12% of the population struggles with a mental health disorder.

How does this compare to other diseases?

Mental disorders account for nearly 5% of the total disease burden globally.