It's lack of soul nutrition. Things will only get worse. Things don't just get better, although they can get worse very quickly (war, for example... economic crash, etc).
What REALLY is mental illness. Solving that one is the first step. In my opinion, more than 90% is people dropping out of mainstream society due to social pressures. Social media, or as I often call it, antisocial media, is a major culprit. Most people need GENUINE support, which would cost a lot less than tablets and running hospitals. It should mainly come from family and friends. Research has shown a strong connection between mental illness and living in major cities. while in rural and farming communities, we just call them the village idiots. This is far from cruel, most of these people live a long and fairly happy life. Far better than destroying their DIFFERENT personality with drugs and separating them from the rest of society. Your quote about the cardboard box saddened me, because it hit on a major point. Some of these people have been driven out, by people who judge others by their own stupid superficial standards.
Needles to say I knew. When I read my reply afterwards, I hoped that you did not think that it was in any way against you.