Dealing with mental illness in law enforcement, schools, work place etc. is a crisis within the United States that needs attention. Problems with mental health are very common in the United States, with an estimated 50% of all Americans diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. Mental illnesses, such as depression, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the United States for those aged 18-44 years old1,2, and adults living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others (Parks, 2006 & Kessler, 2007).
The mental health disorders are pervasive in the United States is no secret. Americans suffer from all sorts of psychological issues, and the evidence indicates that they're not going anywhere despite (or because of?) an increasing number of treatment options. There are the mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and the less severe dysthymia (low grade depression); anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); substance abuse; and impulse control disorder (like attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Research shows that while we're seeking treatment more, rates have not dropped much, if at all, in recent years.
But how does the U.S. compare to other nations? What are other nations doing right or wrong that we can learn from them?
Kessler RC, et al. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of mental disorders in the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative. World Psychiatry. 2007;6(3):168-176.
Parks J. et al. Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Medical Directors Council. Alexandria, VA; 2006.
Walton, A., (2011). Why More Americans Suffer From Mental Disorders Than Anyone Else. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com
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