Too often, people suffer silently with mental illness because they don’t know what’s making them feel awful. They don’t seek treatment and they don’t get better.

Mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease, affecting one in five adults in the U.S., yet according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only 41 percent of those affected receive treatment. An estimated 13 percent of children ages 8 to 15 have a mental illness, yet only half receive services for it.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, take a simple, confidential online screening to see if your symptoms are likely caused by a mental illness.

Mental illness is highly treatable and the earlier you seek help, the better the outcome. After completing the questionnaire, you’ll get your results, recommendations and resources. You can share the results with your doctor, and take the first step to getting better.

“Treatment for mental illness is effective, greatly reducing symptoms, and the earlier intervention begins, the better the outcomes,’’ said NewBridge Chief Operating Officer Michelle Borden, a licensed clinical social worker.

Screening for Mental Health.org offers self-screenings for depression, anxiety, addiction and other conditions. Go to https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/. You can use the results to decide if you should consult with your doctor or a mental health professional. If you or someone you love needs help, contact us at the NewBridge website or call (888) 746-9333.