Facts and Figures

     Mental health is an integral component of a person’s overall well-being.  In the United States, mental health problems are extremely common; estimates show that about one in four people in the United States suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2013).  In Texas, nearly one out of five individuals suffers from a mental disorder; 19.6% of the state’s population has some type of mental illness (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2011).  This is just slightly below the national average of 19.7% (SAMHSA, 2011).  

       Not only are the rates of mental illness in the United States significant, mental illness is also related to chronic medical conditions, including: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia, some of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States (CDC, 2011; Friedman, 2011). A study by the United Hospital Fund among Medicaid recipients showed that mental health patients are 30%-60% “more likely to have hypertension, heart disease, pulmonary disorders, diabetes, and dementia” (Friedman, 2011, para. 3).  In addition, there seems to be a link between depression and type II diabetes (National Diabetes Education Program [NDEP], 2013).  Statistics indicate that people who are depressed are 37% more likely to develop type II diabetes (NDEP, 2013).  Depression is also related to heart health.  Depression can prevent the heart from beating properly and increase the buildup of plaque in vessels (Heart Healthy Women, n.d.).  One study showed that women with depression are 50% more likely to die from heart disease; they are also more likely to have more than one heart attack (Heart Healthy Women, n.d.).  Higher levels of depression increase the chances of heart problems (Heart Healthy Women, n.d.).  

        Suicide is another important consequence of mental disorders.  Research by the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates that about 90% of people who commit suicide “had a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder” (Pearson, n.d., para. 5).  Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States; it ranks tenth with 38,364 deaths (CDC, 2013). Compared to all other states, Texas ranks 14^th with 2,300 suicides (Mental Health America, 2013).  Suicide attempts are much more frequent, believed to be 20 times that of suicides (The World Health Organization [WHO], 2013).  According to the WHO, there is existing evidence demonstrating that appropriate care of depression and alcohol or substance abuse disorders can lower suicide rates (WHO, 2013). Follow-up contact with people who have attempted suicide also helps reduce suicide rates (WHO, 2013).  In some cases, mental health issues have been associated with violent outbreaks.  Access to mental health care services would not only decrease distress and negative impact on social relationships, it would also reduce violent behaviors (Begley, 2012). 
            In Texas, treatment is often difficult to obtain due to the low funding available.  Texas ranks last in mental health funding (St. James, 2012).  The national average for funding is $109 per person, while the average in Texas is $36.  Low funding often results in the inability of people to get treatment.  Last year, nearly $25 million were cut from mental health services.  Earlier this year, the Texas Department of State Health Services requested a $100 million increase for mental health services.  This is a nearly impossible feat due to the Governor’s refusal of a federal match for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.  This refusal means that Texas has to come up with $800 million to make up the difference (St. James, 2012).

            Thanks to advances in research it is now known that most mental health illnesses are treatable.  Everyone should have access to the help they may need.  Making mental health care more accessible would keep many people out of the criminal justice system, prevent chronic illnesses, reduce medical costs, reduce burden on taxpayers, reduce stigmas associated with seeking mental health care, and save countless lives.

References

Beatrice the biologist.(2013). Speak up. Reach out. [Cartoon]. Retrieved from http://fiuactiveminds.tumblr.com/

Begley, S. (2012, December 31). Mental health services erode as states slash budgets. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/mental-health-services-erode-state-budgets_n_2387413.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). CDC mental illness surveillance. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealthsurveillance/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Leading causes of death. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

Friedman, M. (2011, February 22). Mental health and Medicaid costs: Why ignoring mental health is expensive. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-friedman-lmsw/mental-health-and-medicaid-the-_b_825047.html

Heart Healthy Women. (n.d.).  Mental health & heart risk. Retrieved from http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/am-i-at-risk/stress-mental-health/mental-health.html

Mental Health America. (2013). Ranking America’s mental health: An analysis of depression across the states. Retrieved from http://www.nmha.org/go/state-ranking

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2012). Mental health screening application adapted for Spanish-speaking users. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Newsletters3&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=142464

National Diabetes Education Program. (2013). Diabetes at work: What’s depression got to do with it?. Retrieved from https://diabetesatwork.org/DiabetesResources/DepressionCaseStudy.cfm

National Institute of Mental Health. (2013). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml

Pearson, J. (n.d.) Suicide in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroup/E-News/20023/March_20022/Suicide_in_the_United_states.htm

St.James, J. (2012). Texas ranks last in mental health funding. Retrieved from http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Mental-Health-Funding-in-Texas-183851011.html

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2011). The NSDUH report: State estimates of adult mental illness. Retrieved from http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k11/078/WEB_SR_078_HTML.pdf

Thompson, N.(n.d.). [Mental health][picture]. Retrieved from http://www.arcanadea.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-month/
World Health Organization. (2013). Suicide prevention (SUPRE). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/