Society has always been apprehensive about patients suffering with mental disorders. Many people don't understand the meaning of mental illness. There are several myths and misconceptions prevalent among people and these are detrimental to society. It is important to get these stigmas cleared from the minds of people to ensure better treatment and care for mentally ill individuals. A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thinking, perception, and behavior. If these disturbances significantly impair a person's ability to cope with life's ordinary demands and routines, then he or she should immediately seek proper treatment with a mental health professional. With the proper care and treatment, a person can recover, and resume normal activities.

Many mental illnesses are believed to have biological causes, just like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, but some mental disorders are cause by a person's environment and experiences. Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities. Mental illness is common. In a given year, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness. 1 in 24 (4.1%) has a serious mental illness, and 1 in 12 (8.5%) has a substance use disorder. According to statistics, every year, about 42.5 million American adults (or 18.2% of the total adult population in the United States) suffers from some mental illness, enduring conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. The data, compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), also indicate that approximately 9.3 million adults, or about 4% of those Americans ages 18 and up, experience "serious mental illness" - that is, their condition obstructs day-to-day activities, such as going to work.