Mental Illness Hit 1 in 5 U.S. Adults in Past Year
Emotional
troubles often tied to substance abuse, survey finds
troubles often tied to substance abuse, survey finds
THURSDAY, Nov. 18 (HealthDay News)
— A new survey finds that 20 percent of U.S. adults — over 45 million people
— experienced mental illness in the past year.
— A new survey finds that 20 percent of U.S. adults — over 45 million people
— experienced mental illness in the past year.
Overall, 4.8 percent (11 million
people) suffered serious mental illness, 8.4 million people had serious
thoughts of suicide, 2.2 million made suicide plans, and one million attempted
suicide, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
people) suffered serious mental illness, 8.4 million people had serious
thoughts of suicide, 2.2 million made suicide plans, and one million attempted
suicide, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Nearly 20 percent (8.9 million) of
adults with mental illness in the past year also had a substance abuse
disorder, the report found. The rate was 25.7 percent for those with a serious
mental illness — about four times higher than the rate of 6.5 percent among
people without a serious mental illness,
adults with mental illness in the past year also had a substance abuse
disorder, the report found. The rate was 25.7 percent for those with a serious
mental illness — about four times higher than the rate of 6.5 percent among
people without a serious mental illness,
The survey, which included 67,500
adults nationwide, was released Thursday by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration.
adults nationwide, was released Thursday by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration.
Among its other findings:
- Mental illness is more common among jobless people
(27.7 percent) than among those with full-time jobs (17.1 percent). - Women are more likely than men to experience mental
illness — 23.8 percent vs. 15.6 percent. - Young adults had the highest rate of mental woes (30
percent) while those aged 50 and older had the lowest rate (13.7 percent). - Overall, only 37.9 percent of adults with mental
illness received mental health services. - While the use of mental health services was highest
among those with serious mental illness (60.2 percent), 4.4 million adults
with serious mental illness in the past year did not receive the services
they needed.
“Too
many Americans are not getting the help they need and opportunities to prevent
and intervene early are being missed,”
SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in an agency news release.
many Americans are not getting the help they need and opportunities to prevent
and intervene early are being missed,”
SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in an agency news release.
“The consequences for
individuals, families and communities can be devastating. If left untreated
mental illnesses can result in disability, substance abuse, suicides, lost
productivity, and family discord. Through health care reform and the Mental
Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act we can help far more people get needed
treatment for behavioral health problems,” she said.
individuals, families and communities can be devastating. If left untreated
mental illnesses can result in disability, substance abuse, suicides, lost
productivity, and family discord. Through health care reform and the Mental
Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act we can help far more people get needed
treatment for behavioral health problems,” she said.
Hyde was scheduled to present the
survey findings at the World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and
Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders in Washington, D.C.
survey findings at the World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and
Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders in Washington, D.C.
More information
The American Psychiatric Association
has more about mental illness.
has more about mental illness.
— Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, news release, Nov. 18, 2010
Administration, news release, Nov. 18, 2010
Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
