Millions Struggle With Thoughts Of Suicide

A recent highly publicized trial of a young women found to be guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the suicide death of her boyfriend has again focused the national media spotlight on the issue of suicide.

According to WebMD.com nearly 10 million American adults have a serious mental illness, and a similar number have had thoughts of suicide during the past year.

Despite the growing number of Americans with mental health problems, about a third of those who need help aren't getting it for a combination of reasons – such as a lack of health insurance, lack of knowledge of available help and even fear of the stigma that often accompanies people who seek help with mental health.

People who are dealing with substance abuse issues are often doing so to mask other mental health problems, like depression or bipolar disorder.   Ironically, those problems can also be caused by substance abuse.