Addressing the Mental Health Crisis
Studies show nearly 1 in 5 (40 million) adults in America have a mental illness. That staggering number doesn’t even include the children who are suffering with mental health challenges. Approximately 16.3% of Hispanic adults are living with a mental health condition.
Even more concerning is the fact that the use of mental health services tends to be lower for non-white Americans. These groups tend to have less access to treatment, higher language barriers, a stigma towards mental health care, and lower rates of health insurance. According to Mental Health America, Texas ranks 39th, indicating higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.
According to NAMI, serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18 to 44. There is growing recognition that providing necessary treatment and services to people with mental illness brings a significant return on investment.
The good news is that every dollar spent on mental health programs results in $3-$5 billion in new economic contributions and years of healthy life.
Family Service of El Paso exists to meet this need by delivering mental health services that improve the life, health, and wellbeing of individuals and families in the El Paso community.
