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2009 SAMHSA Report Has 20% of U.S. Adults as Mentally Ill

A recent SAMHSA report concluded that nearly 20% of U.S. Adults had some form of mental illness in 2009 - with 11 million having severe illnesses. The SAMHSA report stated that, "Young adults aged 18 to 25 had the highest level of mental illness at 30 percent, while those aged 50 and older had the lowest, with 13.7 percent."

The survey results gravitate towards the impact of record unemployment rates, which last year hit a 25-year high as struggling employers slashed jobs to cope with a weak economy. The chain of events starts with loss of employment and then loss of health insurance, leaving many unable to get treatment.

Pamela Hyde, SAMHSA's administrator said, "The consequences for individuals, families and communities can be devastating. If left untreated mental illnesses can result in disability, substance abuse, suicides, lost productivity, and family discord."

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