In 2011, one in five US adults were estimated to have a
mental illness and less than 40% had received mental health services, with 10·8
million reporting an unmet need for mental health care.
Five million American children have mental illnesses,
including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and other
disorders, which are severe enough to cause substantial life impairment, such
as inability to live safely at home or attend school. Findings from a
government report showed that 7500 paediatric psychiatrists are currently
available serving children and adolescents, which is far from the needed
estimate of about 20 000. Children with mental problems such as
obsessive-compulsive disorder, low esteem, and suicidal or aggressive
behaviours have no adequate central places to turn to for help. No adequate
resources nor coordinated action plans exist for parents comfortably accessing
mental health services, which could provide desperately needed support in some
situations. When mental health problems in children are not well dealt with,
the negative effects on growth and development can be profound.
In 2010, an estimated 12·2 million people in the general
population in the USA reported using pain relievers non-medically for the first
time within the past 12 months.
In the USA, 85% of people in prisons are there because of
crimes related to prescription medications, and an additional 458 000 because
of a history of substance misuse, being under the influence at the time of
arrest, or buying or selling drugs. 356 000 (20%) of individuals in US prisons
and jails could have serious mental illnesses, based on data collected from
penitentiaries in Maryland and New York. Of those incarcerated, 85% misuse
substances; however, only 0·8% with apparent drug disorders receive
detoxification treatment and only 0·3% receive maintenance treatment while
behind bars.
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