By Samantha Scotti

Mental health and substance use disorders touch the lives of millions of Americans each year. Recent reports released by The Pew Charitable Trusts found that in 2013 18.5 percent of American adults had a mental illness and 21.6 million Americansover the age of 12 had a substance use disorder.

Many people experience mental and substance use disorders at the same time, and may of them will not receive needed care. More than 50 percent of counties lack practicing psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers, and shortages of these providers prevent many people from accessing these services, particularly in rural areas.

The emotional, financial and social costs of untreated mental and substance use disorders are substantial, not only to the individual but to communities and the health care system. States spend billions of dollars annually to treat these disorders and provide innovative, effective treatments to these populations.

NCSL will host a webinar on substance use and mental health disorders on Friday, July 10, at noon EDT.  It will provide an overview of current state spending on behavioral health and feature successful state programs in Missouri and Vermont.

Learn more about the webinar and register.

Samantha Scotti is a research analyst covering health policy issues.

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