This week people across the county are celebrating National Mental Health Awareness Week and though mental illness is something many of us think could never happen to us, truth is it’s quite common.

“It’s everywhere” says Genesis Development Mental Health Director Kirk Bragg.  “People who are clinically depressed are probably a third of the population at any given time, that could come and go but one out of three American’s suffer from depression at some point.  Even major mental illness like schizophrenia, that’s also very common, 1-2 percent of the American population.  That’s a lot of people” says Bragg.

That’s Genesis Development Mental Health Director Kirk Bragg who says people need to know what mental illness is often sensationalized and in reality things often aren’t as severe as you may see on TV or in the movies.

“When you see a news story about somebody who has schizophrenia or some major mental illness doing some tragic thing or violent thing, that’s a terribly small minority of folks.  Most people who have these illnesses stick to themselves, they don’t bother anybody and they’re very aware of their illness” says Bragg.

As for how to help maintain positive mental health, Bragg has one quick tip.

“Live in the moment.  People who are depressed or anxious worry about the past, they worry about the future and they ruin the present.”

Bragg says if you’re feeling down or not like yourself for an extended period of time, you may have a mental illness and need to see a professional.

Anyone wanting more information on mental health can call Genesis Development at 465-7541.