The Mental Health Landscape in America
Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States have a mental illness.
People owe at least $220 billion in medical debt in the United States.
People with severe mental illness are 2 to 3 times more likely to die early than those who do not have serious mental health diagnoses.
Approximately 5.5% of U.S. adults have a serious mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression).
People who have a severe mental illness are less likely to get screened for serious medical conditions, like cancer.
Nearly 1 in 3 adults say they haven’t taken their medications as prescribed due to costs.
Mental illness costs the U.S. economy $282 billion a year – the equivalent of a recession. This estimate includes income loss, treatment costs, less consumption, and less likelihood of making investments.
Wisconsin ranks 21st in the United States in access to mental health care. This is based on a combination of metrics, including being uninsured, not receiving needed treatment and mental health workforce availability.
Wisconsin ranks 25th in the United States in prevalence of mental health issues. This is based on a combination of metrics, including adults and children with mental illness and/or substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts.
Universal access to health care would save the lives of 33,232 Americans who are currently uninsured and can’t access lifesaving care, and save the lives of 29,631 Americans who are currently underinsured and cannot afford care.
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