".For too long the fear of mental illness has been profoundly destructive to people"s lives. In fact mental illnesses are just as real as other illnesses, and they are like other illnesses in most ways. Yet fear and stigma persist, resulting in lost opportunities for individuals to seek treatment and improve or recover. This seminal report provides us with an opportunity to dispel the myths and stigmas surrounding mental illness." - Message from Donna E. Shalala, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES recognizes the inextricably intertwined relationship between mental health and physical health and well-being, and emphasizes that mental health and mental illnesses are important concerns at all ages. This report lays out a challenge to the Nation - to our communities, our health and social services agencies, our policymakers, employers, and citizens - to take action to continue to attend to needs that occur across a lifespan, from the...