Brain and behavior disorders are common. The World Health Organization reports that neuropsychiatric disorders deny Americans more years of healthy life than all cancers and cardiovascular diseases combined.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 5 adults suffers from depression, schizophrenia, or some other brain or behavior disorder in a given year.
Among children, brain and behavior disorders are increasingly being recognized and diagnosed at an early age. Just over 1 in 5 children experiences a debilitating mental illness at some point in their childhood.
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation reports that out of the 10 leading causes of disability identified and tracked in the United States, four are brain and behavior disorders: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
These statistics highlight the prevalence of mental illness. But the impact of mental illness is not just on the person who battles it. The families and friends of those suffering from mental illness are also affected.
HIKE for Mental Health is committed to raising funds to support scientific research that will prevent, treat, or cure mental illness.