DANVILLE — Mental health determines how we handle stress, relate to others, make choices, feel good about life and ourselves.

It determines the way we think, feel, and act as we cope with everyday life.

"You can’t look at someone and tell who has a mental illness," said Brian James, ombudsman at Crosspoint Human Services, 210 Avenue C, Danville. "People do recover (from mental disorders)."

James used his own personal experience with mental disorders as an example. He was diagnosed eight years ago with a bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder marked by delusions and hallucinations. He is now on medication to help him cope with these disorders.

In addition to peace of mind, his family and achieving goals, James’ recovery has allowed him to help others suffering with mental disorders through HOPE, a support group that James facilitates at Crosspoint Human Services. The group which is affiliated with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a national organization founded in 1985, ensures people with mood disorders are treated equitably.

People don’t always seek help when depression or mood disorders strike them, however. Many are afraid to seek the help they need because the stigma that goes with mental illness is deemed embarrassing, a thing to hide, or is misunderstood by employers, employees, family, friends and peers.

"What people don’t understand, they are afraid of," said James. "And the media (in some movies) causes a lot of the stigma (surrounding mental illness)."

Janet Martin of Georgetown also knows, as a mother, about the condition of bipolar disorders. She has dealt with it in her family.

"Mental health is as important as breathing," Martin said. "Our mind is precious. It’s one of the least parts of the body we consider and that’s where we get in trouble. We need to keep it healthy."

She added that many faith-based organizations now recognize the need for good mental health. The First Presbyterian Church in Danville, which she attends, promotes mental health awareness through its church bulletins.

Heidi McGill, program director for Bridgeway in Hoopeston, said mental health is looking at the emotional side of things, making sure that side is as important and healthy as the physical side. Bridgeway, 843 E. Orange St., Hoopeston, offers an option for seniors age 60 and older to receive help with depression and other disorders.

More and more people in Vermilion County, in Illinois, and across the nation are feeling the impact of some form of mental illness due to the stress of unemployment, home repossesions, increased debts, having to accept lower paying jobs or no jobs, loss of insurance with the loss of jobs, and the pressures of trying to make ends meet to feed, house and clothe families.

"Economic factors add to the current problem in Danville and Vermilion County," said Dr. Christine Cisneros, medical director of occupational medicine services at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center. "There’s a lot of desperate, worried, scared people, in fact every emotion you can imagine, caused by economic factors. A lot of stress not only affects the individual but the families as well. The accumulation of psychological problems affects the body if mental health issues are not addressed.

"We all (in the medical field) know people need help. Many don’t have the money or skill to find the help they need."

She added that the mental health agencies want to help by promoting a Mental Wellness Awareness Expo at 4-7 p.m. today at Kresge Park.

In America, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older, or one in four adults, according the National Mental Health Information Center, suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder and one in 17 suffers from a serious mental illness. About 20 percent of American’s children, or about 5 million children, also have some form of mental illness.

Roughly one in 10 teens ages 15 to 19 attempt suicide at least once each year, stated the Scientific American, with more than 600,000 injuring themselves badly enough after their attempts to require medical attention. A report from the Surgeon General added that about 20 percent of teens will experience teen depression before they reach adulthood.

Mental health disorders affect at least 20 percent of individuals 55 years and older, according to the Bridgeway brochure.

And unfortunately, the National Institute of Mental Health and the World Health Organization predict that by 2020 depression will be the third leading cause of disability worldwide.

For more information about mental health awareness, check these Web sites:

-- Mental Health America, http://www.nmha.org;

-- Mental Health America of Illinois, http://www.mhai.org;

-- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, http://www.dbsaliance.org.