quick & usable facts about mental health

Quick Facts

"Mental health is fundamental to health."

Source: US Surgeon General, Mental Health Report, Executive Summary

"Today, in established market economies such as the United States, mental illness is the second leading cause of disability and premature mortality. Mental disorders collectively account for more than 15 percent of the overall burden of disease from all causes and slightly more than the burden associated with all forms of cancer."

Source: US Surgeon General, Mental Health Report, Executive Summary

In 1999, The Surgeon General indicated that roughly 30% of the US Adult population (60 million people) was affected by mental and addictive disorders.

Source: US Surgeon General, Mental Health Report, as cited by PacifiCare Behavioral Health

"About 10 percent of the U.S. adult population use mental health services in the health sector in any year, with another 5 percent seeking such services from social service agencies, schools, or religious or self-help groups. Yet critical gaps exist between those who need service and those who receive service."

Source: US Surgeon General, Mental Health Report, Executive Summary

"Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders in adults (Regier et al., 1990). The anxiety disorders affect twice as many women as men. A broad category, anxiety disorders include panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, among others."

Source: US Surgeon General, Mental Health Report, Chapter 4

Connecticut Statistics

"About 157,000 Connecticut children and youth out of a total population of 786,000 children currently have mental disorders."

Source: The State of Children's Mental Health in Connecticut:A Brief Overview, pp.9-10

"In 2001, suicide was also the third leading cause of death for Connecticut youth ages 10-24 (Chief Medical Examinerís Office)."

Source: DCF's Connecticut Youth Suicide†Advisory Board

Connecticut Reports

The Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health July 2000

Source: State Of Connecticut

The State of Children's Mental Health in Connecticut:A Brief Overview

Source: Connecticut Voices For Children

Youth Suicide Prevention Brochure - PDF

Source: DCF's Connecticut Youth Suicide Advisory Board

National Reports

Mental Health: A report of the Surgeon General, 1999

Source: US Surgeon General

Culture, Race and Ethnicity, A supplement to Mental Health: A report of the Surgeon General, 2001

Source: US Surgeon General