Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Illness

Some findings from the Surgeon General’s report to congress on mental illness indicate:

  • Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
  • Over 22 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. In any given year this figure translates to 44.3 million people nationally. In Erie County this figure would translate to almost 62,000 people.
  • Four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. are mental disorders.
  • Approximately 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 or older is diagnosed with a depressive disorder each year. Nearly twice as many women as men are affected by a depressive disorder each year. These figures translate to 12.4 million women and 6.4 million men. In Erie County this figure would translate to over 26,000 people with women accounting for almost 18,000 alone.
  • In the late 90’s, approximately 31,000 people died from suicide annually. More than 90 percent of the people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.
  • The suicide rate in young people has increased dramatically over the last few decades. In l997, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds.
  • In the United States, one in ten children and adolescents suffer from mental illness severe enough to cause some level of impairment. In Erie County this number would amount to over 7,000 children.
  • Recent evidence compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that by the year 2020, childhood psychiatric disorders will rise proportionately by over 50%, internationally, to become one of the five most common causes of mortality and disability amongst children.