 Mental Health Facts & Figures
More than 260,000 people in Cuyahoga County have a mental illness. Mental illness shows no prejudice, directly touching one in every five Americans from children to older adults and impacting their families, friends and neighbors. The ability to access effective mental health services can make a big difference in the lives of those affected by mental illness. Such services help build healthier, happier lives for consumers and strengthen and empower families. And they can help individuals find and maintain jobs, return to school and work – all while helping our community become stronger.
- Ohio was 17th in per capita state mental health funding in FY 1981 and 29th in 1997. By 2002, Ohio ranked 35th.
- In 2001, 17% of persons with mental illness in Cuyahoga County were employed. Nearly 80% said they wanted to work.
- Mental illness comes with a devastatingly high financial cost. The indirect cost to Ohio of mental illness, due to lost productivity at work or school, incarceration or replacement of family care giving responsibilities, is estimated to be more than $3.5 billion annually.
- Indirect costs of mental illness nationally accounted for a $79 billion loss to the economy in 1990. Most of that amount - approximately $63 billion - reflects the loss of productivity.
- Millions of Americans with mental illnesses do not have equal access to health insurance. In December 2006, Ohio became the 37th state to pass some form of equal treatment legislation. Ohio’s equal treatment legislation ends discrimination against those with severe mental illnesses by ensuring they receive the same insurance coverage as other physical illnesses.
- Treatment works. In fact, the treatment success rates for some common mental health illnesses are approximately: 80% for bipolar disorder; 70% for major depression, obsessive-compulsive and panic disorders; and 60% for schizophrenia.
- Each mental health consumer who becomes employed saves taxpayers approximately $1,000 per month in taxes paid, lowered assistance costs and lowered mental health service costs.
- At some point in their lives, as many as half of people with serious mental illnesses develop alcohol or other drug abuse problems.
- About 25% of older adults with general medical illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and arthritis, also have depression.
- The second leading cause of death in the U.S. for young people ages 15-24 is suicide. Suicide attempts are made by nearly 64,000 Ohio youth ages 15-19 each year. As a result of the attempt, 24,000 will need medical attention and 151 will die.
- Of all homeless persons in Ohio , approximately 30% are affected by mental illness.
- Mental illnesses are the leading illness-related cause of disability in North America, Europe and increasingly, the world. Mental illnesses are a major cause of school failure and a major factor in chronic homelessness.
- 20% of adults 55 and older experience mental disorders that are not part of the normal aging process. Suicide rates in adults over 65 are higher than any other age group.
SOURCES:
- 2001 Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board Survey
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Ohio (NAMI Ohio )
- National Mental Health Association survey
- National Mental Health Association
- Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
- Ohio Department of Mental Health
- President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
- SPECTRUM of Supportive Services
- U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health
- World Health Organization
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Would you like to learn more about mental health and how you can make a difference within the community?
Please visit our member organizations' Web sites or one of the following organizations for additional stats, resources and information:
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association)
National Institute of Mental Health
Ohio Department of Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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