I think that even 20 years ago MI wasn't as "acceptable" as it is today (its really not so acceptable today, but more so than in the past), which is why it seems to be more prevalent and more often diagnosed. MI has been prevalent throughout history and that fact is well documented, though MI was often considered other things, like demon possession, a "women's" disease (hysteria), etc. Also, plenty of third world countries have just as much mental illness as we do, but they treat the mentally ill differently than we do and obviously, have far less access to even self-help strategies than we do. A book (or maybe long article-gah, I cannot remember!) just came out, I cannot remember the name, about how mental illness across the globe is becoming "westernized", not more prevalent, but conformed to fit within westernized ideals of it.

That all being said, I would love to go move to the remote jungles of south america and live in a grass hut.