Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1111492
DEMOGR APHIC FACTORS The prevalence of mental illness in the U.S. varies significantly by sex and age. These charts represent the percentages of American adults who, as of 2016, had experienced any mental illness within the preceding year. Spotlight on Mental Health BY STEVE BARRETT APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FIVE U.S. ADULTS HAS A MENTAL ILLNESS, AND DEPRESSION ALONE HA S BECOME THE LE ADING CAUSE OF DISABILIT Y WORLDWIDE. MANY PEOPLE WITH A MENTAL HE ALTH DISORDER DO NOT RECEIVE TRE ATMENT, IN PART FOR FE AR OF THE STIGMA A SSOCIATED WITH THEIR CONDITION. 18–25 AN UNTRE ATED EPIDEMIC Only about two in five of the more than 44 million American adults who had a mental health disorder in the past year received treatment. Key reasons why people do not seek mental health care include: + Limited ability to recognize signs of mental illness + Unfamiliarity with ways to access care + Bias against people with mental illness + Fear of discrimination WOMEN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS MEN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS 26–49 50–PLUS 22.1% 21.1% 14.5% 21.7% 14.5% THE HUMAN TOLL The Financial Burden Americans lose more than $190 billion in earnings per year because of serious mental illness. Sources: CDC, U.S. News & World Report, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Journal of Public Health, National Institute of Mental Health Percentages of American adults with common mental illnesses: 8.1% DEPRESSION 3.1% EATING DISORDERS 2.6% BIPOLAR DISORDER 1% SCHIZOPHRENIA 2 2 2 2❱❱❱❱❱ M E N TA L H E A LT H