CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
July 21, 2003, Vol. 03-59

Many With Serious Mental Illness Go Untreated

Fewer than half of adults with a serious mental illness received treatment or counseling during the past year, according to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Serious mental illness is defined as having a diagnosable disorder that meets the criteria of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

The findings were announced by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator Charles Curie, speaking at SPAN USA, the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, Inc., today in Washington D.C.

"Too many Americans are unaware that mental illness can be treated and that recovery is possible." Curie said. "Fewer than half of the 15 million adults with serious mental illness in the United States are receiving treatment. The data show racial disparities and educational differences as well. The consequences of untreated mental illness can be shattering, leading to unnecessary disability, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration and even suicide."

Whites were more likely than African Americans or Hispanics to have received treatment or counseling during the past year, according to the Household Survey. There were 51.4 percent of whites who received treatment or counseling compared to 38.4 percent of African Americans and 27 percent of Hispanics. College graduates were more likely than those with lower levels of education to have received treatment or counseling.

The data indicate that younger adults, aged 18-25, received less counseling or treatment than 26-49 year olds. The persons receiving the most treatment or counseling in the past year were age 50 or above. Only 32.7 percent of adults age 18-25 with serious mental illness received trea tment or counseling, compared to 50 percent for 26-49 year olds, and 53.3 percent of those age 50 or older.

Curie added, "There are many reasons why people do not seek help for mental health problems. This is one of the many issues the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health is expected to address in its final report on improving the mental health service delivery system."

To tackle the problems in mental health treatment, SAMHSA is helping to build community-based systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. SAMHSA's Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program provides funds to states to provide comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. SAMHSA's PATH program is bringing an estimated 147,000 homeless people into treatment for mental disorders and substance abuse, as well as providing referrals for housing.

SAMHSA is also working on a national project to promote the widespread adoption of six evidence-based practices to improve treatment by giving practitioners the tools they need to generate positive outcomes for adults with serious mental illness.

The Household Survey is conducted annually by SAMHSA. In 2001 approximately 70,000 people aged 12 and older participated in the survey. For the first time in 2001, the Household Survey included questions for adults that measure serious mental illness. Survey participants aged 18 and older were asked questions used to assess serious mental illness during the year prior to the survey interview.

These and additional findings from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov.

SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States.