Many Americans today face the issue and the challenge of dealing with mental illness. These Americans, whether they have a mental illness themselves or are involved with someone that has a mental illness, perhaps a wife, husband, other family member, or child, has the difficulty of supporting themselves or the other person and seeking help if needed.

One statistic in a nutshell shows how difficult it is for people with mental illness to seek and receive treatment:

• Over 80% of those who have symptoms of clinical depression are not receiving treatment

The same goes for anxiety, where two thirds of those afflicted with this mental illness do not seek treatment, even though anxiety is highly treatable either through or with a combination of both medication and therapy. The statistics surrounding mental illness are astonishing:

• 11% of adolescents have a depressive disorder by the age of 18
• 30% of college students report feeling depressed to the point where their functioning at school is disrupted
• The number of patients diagnosed with depression increases by 20% every year
• 7.7 million people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million Americans or 18% of the population

Americans, healthcare providers, the families of those living with mental illness, and of course those living with mental illness themselves all face difficulties surrounding their functioning, whether that is in work or in day to day life.

Some of these challenges include doing every day tasks, socializing, writing, reading, being in pubic places, not reliving painful memories, difficulties with mood or concentration, anger spells, substance use disorders, staying on task, working consistently, sleeping, and much more.

Some of these challenges can be helped with a therapist, who is the perfect fit for the person needing to be helped, or with family members who support the person enough to give them encouragement throughout their day to day needs as someone living with mental illness. A therapist can provide instruction, whereas a family member support.

One of the most challenging issues facing the people living with mental illness is the possibility that their relationships will suffer under the pretense of the illness. This is a possibility for those who have difficulty with day to day functioning under the course of the illness.

Mental illness sufferers face challenges to work and school and relationships. They struggle with functioning at times, seeking treatment sometimes or not seeking treatment when they feel its best or not best to do so. They have girlfriends and boyfriends, husbands and wives, families generally speaking, and they work hard, as do all people.

Mental illness sufferers often have people around them who support them but that is not always the case. They may pursue the time tested avenues of going through therapy and medication and receive immediate benefits, while for others it may take some time.

Their are things being done to improve the treatment system for mental health. That includes the outpatient treatment facilities, such as therapy networks and psychiatry practices, and also the in-patient facilities, which include the hospital settings either as part of a bigger hospital or a standalone psychiatric facility.

A hospital for those living with mental illness can go by many names. They include:

• Psychiatric hospital
• Psychiatric acute treatment program
• Inpatient mental health facilities
• Acute psychiatric hospital

And others. For those suffering from mental illness, they roughly mean the same thing: A hospital stay where the individual is admitted into the hospital, only being able to leave when the doctor discharges them. Anecdotal reviews have said that stays last anywhere fro three days to three weeks or more.

A psychiatric acute treatment program may involve different treatments. These treatments may include group therapy or individual therapy. Some say there is the possibility of recreational therapy, which some say is a more physical therapy, while others say there is the possibility of reminiscence therapy or occupational therapy.

A psychiatric acute treatment program keeps people safe from harms way if they are feeling suicidal or homicidal. They also offer an opportunity to change medications while cloistered in a place with no locking doors and no door to shut to use the bathroom. They offer an opportunity to become whole again.

A psychiatric acute treatment program is great for everyone.