More than 50 million American adults experienced a form of mental illness in 2020. And it's estimated that more than 50 percent of people with mental illness failed to receive treatment.

As of now, the average delay between symptom onset and treatment for mental illness is almost 11 years.

In May, Giddy is observing Mental Health Awareness Month to underline the importance of diagnosis, discuss the range of medical treatment and therapies available, and retell stories from people who successfully manage their conditions.

In this series of four articles during the month of May, we'll take you on a journey through the basics of mental health. We'll talk about the signs and symptoms you need to watch for and provide expert advice about when you should seek professional help. We'll also look specifically at how mental health conditions affect people's lives.

With advice and recommendations from experts, along with the insights of medical research and selected online resources for education and support, this guide is an excellent place to begin learning more about mental health in the United States and beyond.