As per federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in five Americans suffer from mental illness.

The problem is increasing and in order to raise awareness on the matter, the Harford County Human Relations Commission is providing information on the nationwide impact of mental illness. It has also been offering information on resources available to citizens in the county.

The commission comprises of a group of volunteer citizens appointed by the county executive and approved by the Harford County Council. Their main aim is to 'alleviating social problems and promoting equality, understanding, and harmonious relations between the citizens of the county'.

Experts said that treatment for mental illness is often delayed or undiagnosed. In 2013, mental illness led at least 41, 149 people to commit suicide. Mental disorders can start in teenage or early adulthood and can continue for lifetime.

People do not seek treatment thinking it as a taboo or that treatment is not available for mental illness. But experts affirmed that the good news is mental illness is very much treatable and recover is also possible.

With the help of medications, counseling, lifestyle changes, peer support groups and rehabilitation programs are the measures through which people suffering from mental illness can get relief and can make recovery.

The Harford County Department of Community Services, Harford County Health Department and the nonprofit Office on Mental Health of Harford County are working in union to provide a complete support system for people with mental illness.

They will be working with people and treatment providers, so that awareness can be raised about mental health. It is expected that the partnership will able to reduce the stigma around mental illness and also, it will make efforts to improve the access of mental health treatment in the county.