Destigmatizing Mental Health

Over the past two decades, people have learned more about mental illness and most believe treatment is effective. However, the public is now more likely to believe that people with mental illness are dangerous and unpredictable. Further, stigma associated with substance abuse disorders is high, with people tending to blame those who are ill for their habits. Because of those prejudices and misunderstandings, many people are afraid to go public with their illness or seek help. Of the 28 million people who needed treatment for drug or alcohol problems in 2013, fewer than 1 in 10 got help, the report says. Untreated disorders led to an estimated $417 billion in annual costs related to lost productivity, crime and health care.