Fall 2008

Grassroots Empowerment Project, Inc. (GEP) is Wisconsin’s only statewide non-profit organization that is controlled and directed by mental health consumers. 

90% of the Board of Directors and 100% of the staff are people with mental illness. 

We are funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Community Mental Health with federal Mental Health Block Grant dollars.

 

Facts about Mental Illness

 

FACT:

More than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, although fewer than 8 million seek treatment. 

FACT:

Depression and anxiety disorders — the two most common mental illnesses — each affect 19 million American adults annually. 

FACT: 

Approximately 12 million women in the United States experience depression every year. This is roughly twice the rate of depression in men. 

FACT:

Depression greatly increases the risk of developing heart disease.  People with depression are four times more likely to have a heart attack than those with no history of depression .

FACT: 

One percent of the population (more than 2.5 million Americans) has schizophrenia. 

FACT: 

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, affects more than 2 million Americans. 

FACT:

The majority of people living with severe mental illness have incomes lower than $8,000 per year. 

FACT: 

People with mental illness can and do become empowered, begin a path toward recovery, and return to a productive life.  

Consumer network news

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