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- The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 20%, or 1 in 5
adults in America age 18 and older suffer from “a diagnosable mental
disorder in a given year”.
- While 57.7 million adults are affected each year, only about 6% (1 in
17) suffer from a mental health problem including bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia that is serious enough to be considered
debilitating.
- 50% of chronic cases of mental health problems occur by the age of 14 and 75% of chronic cases occur by the age of 24.
- There are generally long delays sometimes lasting decades from the time of onset and when treatment is sought and received.
- Access to quality mental health services is diminished for racial and ethnic minorities.
(Mental Illness, 2007)
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