October 8 to 14 is Mental Health Awareness Week and you can show your support for over 60 million Americans with mental illnesses. Mental Health Awareness Bracelets are available on our website at lighthousenetwork.org/store and proceeds go to help those who need residential treatment.
“So many struggle in silence, so we wanted to raise awareness to end the shame,” says Dr. Karl Benzio, executive director and founder of Lighthouse Network.” Each bracelet has 11 colorful and attractive beads to represent one category of mental health or addiction issues. Your bracelet will start conversations, raise awareness, show love and sympathy for those struggling, or remind you to call, help, or pray for someone who is struggling.”
Your donation helps those who need residential treatment but whose last obstacle to getting life-saving help is not having someone to take them or the money to buy transportation.
These bracelets make a great gift for someone you know who needs a pick-me-up to let them know someone cares for them in a special way. These eye-catching bracelets are made with real Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver Charms on a sturdy elastic cord. No picture can do them justice!
Mental Illness/Addiction Awareness Facts
(all % are lifetime chance, unless otherwise noted)
34% of US adults will suffer this year. 61% of US adults will suffer in their lifetime. 70% of US people will have a parent, child, or sibling suffer with an addiction in their lifetime.
1. Suicide: Yellow: officially, 10th leading cause of death in US. But actually 3rd leading cause of death! Drastically under-reported, so actually 3rd leading cause of death in the US – 1. heart disease 2. all cancers combined Leading cause of death along with accidents for ages 10 – 44
38,000 suicides in the U.S. this year
105 suicides per day
1 suicide every 14 minutes.
2. Mood/Depressive Disorders: Green – 24% Depression: 16.9% Dysthymia: 2.5% Bipolar: 4.4% Post-Partum Depression: 8% of pregnancies
3. Psychotic Disorders: Black – 29% Schizophrenia: 0.7% Delusional: .1% Psychoses from medications, medical illnesses, or stress: 28.4%
4. Anxiety Disorders: Teal – 33.2% Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): 6.8% Panic Disorder or Attacks: 4.7% Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): 2.3% Adult/Child Separation Anxiety: 9.2% Phobias: 11.5% Social Anxiety Disorder: 12.1% Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 3.1% Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder): 6%
5. Developmental or Childhood Disorders: Purple – 11.3% ADHD: 8.1% Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism, Aspergers, Rett’s, Disintegrative Disorder): .6% Conduct: 9.5% ODD: 8.5% Mental Retardation: 1%
6. Self Injury: Orange – 26% Cutting, Burning, Head-banging, whipping or hitting self with significant object are most common.
7. Personality Disorders: Pink – 19-22% Pervasive and inflexible personality style leading to distress or impairment in relationships and functioning Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Anti-Social, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive
8. Sexual/Physical Abuse: White – too many and so sad – best educated guess, at least 36% Childhood Sexual Molest or Sexual Abuse – 22% Rape -18 % of women, (half before age 17 and half after age 17); 3% of men Incest: 20% of women, 12% of men Domestic Violence: 25% of women, 8% of men; Stalking: 8% 0f women, 2% of men Child Exploitation: rampant in 3rd world countries Abortion: 28% of US women have aborted at least one child
9. Addictions/Substance Abuse: Red – 42.3% (probably higher as under-reported) Alcohol: 13.2%; Drugs: 8%; Nicotine: 29.6%; Caffeine: 32% Shopping/spending – 6%; Gambling – 1.5%; Sex/Porn – men 8%, women 3%;
10. Adjustment Disorders: Blue – Lifetime Prevalence – 27% Significant emotional or behavioral symptoms and impairment in response to an identifiable stressor Not meeting the criteria for the more significant disorders in other categories listed 11. Eating Disorders: Periwinkle – 31% Anorexia: 1.7%; Bulimia: 2.1%; Binge Eating Disorder: 11%; Overeating/Obesity: 27%
How to use this bracelet:
Every time you look at this bracelet, call, think about, or pray for someone who this bracelet represents. When someone comments on the bracelet, it gives you a chance to raise awareness for these issues and those who struggle.
Click here for more information or to order.