All this week, mental health advocacy groups of all sizes have been busy sponsoring initiatives and holding activities as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week. This annual event began nearly 25 years ago when Congress decided to officially honor the unwavering efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness to raise awareness about a condition currently affecting 61.5 million people in some capacity here in the U.S.
For those who are unfamiliar with MIAW, it is used as a medium through which to provide the public with much-needed education, advocate for changes to the health care system, offer assistance to those in need and, most importantly, fight stigma.
For those who might be tempted to question the need for an event like MIAW, consider the following:
- 2.4 million people (1.1 percent of adult Americans) currently live with schizophrenia.
- 6.1 million people (2.6 percent of adult Americans) currently live with bipolar disorder.
- 14.8 million people (6.7 percent of adult Americans) currently live with major depression.
- 42 million people (18.1 percent of adult Americans) currently live with some type of anxiety disorder (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.).
The good news is that those suffering from these conditions can often qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, the bad news is that SSD claims for a mental disability sometimes encounter more difficulty being approved by the Social Security Administration.
Fortunately, a highly skilled and dedicated attorney can provide invaluable assistance to those facing these otherwise challenging circumstances. For instance, when an initial claim has been denied, an attorney can not only conduct a comprehensive review of the person’s medical history as part of the SSD appeals process, but also speak with family and friends to create a more complete picture.
These are just a few of the ways in which an experienced legal professional can help those with mental disabilities secure the disability benefits they need and to which they are entitled.
Please visit our website to learn more about the assistance we can provide.