[Press release] SAMHSA’s new report tracks the behavioral health of America

From the press release, Monday, January 26, 2015

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) illuminates important trends — many positive — in Americans’ behavioral health, both nationally and on a state-by-state basis.

SAMHSA’s new report, the “National Behavioral Health Barometer” (Barometer), provides data about key aspects of behavioral healthcare issues affecting American communities including rates of serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts, substance use, underage drinking, and the percentages of those who seek treatment for these disorders. The Barometer shows this data at the national level, and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Barometer indicates that the behavioral health of our nation is improving in some areas, particularly among adolescents. For example, past month use of both illicit drugs and cigarettes has fallen for youth ages 12-17 from 2009 to 2013 (from 10.1 percent to 8.8 percent for illicit drugs and 9.0 percent to 5.6 percent for cigarettes). Past month binge drinking among children ages 12-17 has also fallen from 2009 to 2013 (from 8.9 percent to 6.2 percent).

The Barometer also shows more people are getting the help they need in some crucial areas. The number of people receiving treatment for a substance use problem has increased six percent from 2009 to 2013. It also shows that the level of adults experiencing serious mental illness who received treatment rose from 62.9 percent in 2012 to 68.5 percent in 2013.

 

The data in the Barometer is drawn from various federal surveys and provides both a snapshot of the current status of behavioral health nationally and by state, and trend data on some of these key behavioral health issues over time. The findings will be enormously helpful to decision makers at all levels who are seeking to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

“The Barometer provides new insight into what is happening on the ground in states across the country,” said SAMHSA’s Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde. “It provides vital information on the progress being made in each state as well as the challenges before them.  States and local communities use this data to determine the most effective ways of addressing their behavioral healthcare needs.”

The Barometer also provides analyses by gender, age group and race/ethnicity, where possible, to further help public health authorities more effectively identify and address behavioral health issues occurring within their communities, and to serve as a basis for tracking and addressing behavioral health disparities.

For the first time, the Barometer provides analyses broken down by poverty level (above or below) and health insurance status. This data can help provide researchers, policy makers, public health authorities and others a better understanding of how income and insurance coverage affect access and utilization of behavioral healthcare services.

To view and download copies of the national or any state Behavioral Health Barometer, please visit the SAMHSA web site at http://www.samhsa.gov/data/browse-report-document-type?tab=46.

For more information, contact the SAMHSA Press Office at 240-276-2130.

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Last Updated: 01/26/2015

Link Found Between Major Depression and Social Conditions

Blue- High income

Green- Upper middle income

Purple- Lower middle income

Red- Low income

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_Bank_income_groups.svg

From a 27 July posting by dal22 in Research Now

Major depression is a serious condition, and can lead to a decline in function and quality of life. A new study published in the most recent issue of BMC Medicine reports on a survey of 89,037 adults from 18 high- and low-middle-income countries. Through face to face interviews, data were collected on prevalence, impairment, and demographic factors associated with depression.

Results showed that the average age of onset was 25.7 years in 10 high-income countries and 24.0 years in 8 low-middle-income countries. The ratio of females to males with major depression was

Countries based on World Bank income groupings for 2006 (calculated by GNI per capita, Atlas method).    High income    Upper-middle income    Lower-middle income    Low income

approximately 2:1. Major depression was associated with a younger age in high-income countries, while older age showed greater prevalence in several low-middle-income countries. Separation was found to be the most significant demographic factor in high income countries, while being divorced or widowed was most significant in low-middle-income countries.

According to the authors, major depression is a worldwide threat to public health and is strongly associated with social conditions. Further research will be needed for evaluation of risk factors contributing to occurrence of major depressive episodes.

Read the complete article.

Related articles

• US and France More Depressed Than Poor Countries (livescience.com)
• India named world’s most depressed nation (independent.co.uk)