Mental Health Goal

Youth Depression and Suicide

Baseline: 22% 9-12th graders feel sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities. (YBRFS 2000)

Target: 12%

Baseline: 15.3% 9-12th graders report seriously considering attempting suicide. (YBRFS 2000)

Target: 5%

Adult Depression

Baseline: 50.5% 18 and older females report one or more days of depression in past 30 days. (ABRFS 2000)

Target: 30%

Rationale

Approximately 20% of the U.S. population is affected by mental illness during a given year; no one is immune. Of all mental illnesses, depression is the most common disorder. Mental health is sometimes thought of as simply the absence of a mental illness but is actually much broader. Mental health is a state of successful mental functioning, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity. Mental health is indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and one's contribution to society.

A person with a depressive disorder is often unable to fulfill the daily responsibilities of being a spouse, partner, or parent. The misunderstanding of mental illness and the associated stigmatization prevent many persons with depression from seeking professional help. Many people will be incapacitated for weeks or months because their depression goes untreated.

Depression is also associated with other medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes as well as anxiety and eating disorders. Depression has also been associated with alcohol and illicit drug abuse. An estimated 8 million persons aged 15-24 years had co-existing mental and substance disorders within the past year. The total estimated direct and indirect cost of mental illness in the United States in 1996 was $150 billion. (Source: Healthy People 2010 page 36/37)