According to

the survey, only one-third of the public believes that people with mental

illnesses can be helped by treatment. The reality, however, is that treatments

for people with mental illnesses are often more successful than treatments

for physical illnesses such as heart disease.

In a second

survey, conducted by the National Mental Association of Georgia, 80 percent

of people suffering from clinical depression are treatable, and the success

rate for schizophrenia the most chronic and disabling of the severe mental

disorders is 60 percent. Ironically, the treatment success rate for heart

disease, by contrast, is between 41 and 52 percent.

Scientists

are closer than ever to unlocking the mysteries of the brain. For example,

scientists recently discovered new brain abnormalities in people suffering

from schizophrenia. With discoveries such as these, researchers can continue

to develop newer generation antipsychotic medications such as Zyprexa

and Risperdal, all of which have less of the troubling side effects of

older medications and are better tolerated by patients.

May is Mental

Health Month, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about

mental health. For more information about understanding mental illnesses,

visit www.nami.org or www.nmhag.org , or call 770-234-0855

or 404-527-7157.

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