LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

American Psychiatric Association

Depression and Bipolar Support
Alliance (DBSA)

National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH)

SAMHSA's National Mental
Health Information Center /
Center for Mental Health
Services Knowledge Exchange
Network (KEN).
KEN is for users of mental health
services and their families, the
general public, policy makers,
providers, and the media. KEN has
information on Federal grants,
conferences and other events,
and over 200 publications.

National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill (NAMI)

Schizophrenia Home Page
Nonprofit site provides
information, support,
and education about
schizophrenia.

Treatment Advocacy Center




































MENTAL HEALTH FACTS

 

Solid Information about Mental Health Treatment

The facts give strong support to our cause. Mental illness can be treated, and the benefits of current treatment can be measured in many ways. Review the statistics below - and think of how better treatment, and a cure, could make an even greater difference for inviduals, families, business, and society.

 

Treatment is Effective


The National Institute of Mental Health found that 80% of people with depression can be treated successfully with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination. In comparison, the treatment success rate for heart disease ranges from 41% to 52%. (Source: The Invisible Disease: Depression. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2000)

A meta-analysis of 56 studies of five types of psychotherapy revealed that 89% of patients showed measurably greater improvement than those in an untreated control. Average therapy length was only four weeks. (Source: Steinbrueck et. al. 1983)


A review of 58 studies of the effectiveness of treatment for depression found that 77% of depressed patients showed significant improvement. On the average, treatment was completed in nine sessions. (Source: Robinson et.al. 1990)

According to a study by the International Labor Organization in 2000, clinical depression in the U.S. has become one of the most common illnesses affecting one in ten working age adults each year, resulting in a loss of approximately 200 million working days each year." Good mental health reduces costs and helps make money through better productivity.


Treatment Improves Productivity and Attendance

Over a four-year period, the McDonnell Douglas Corporations Employee Assistance Program reduced absenteeism by 29 % for those in substance abuse treatment and 25% for those in mental illness treatment. (Source: McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 1990)


Treatment Reduces Overall Health Care Costs


A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry noted that antidepressant treatment reduces overall healthcare costs by more tohan 70%.*


When the Utah division of Kennecott Copper Corporation provided mental health counseling for employees, its hospital, medical and surgical costs decreased 48.9%. (Source: Lechnyr, R. (1993). The Cost Savings of Mental Health Service. EAP Digest, 22.23)

*Source: National Mental Health Association, Fact Sheet 2. http://www.nmha.org/federal/appropriations/factsheet2.cfm