Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health problems in the United States. According to a 2018 report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than one in five American adults has had some form of anxiety disorder, while one in ten has experienced major depression at some point in their lives. These conditions have a huge impact on our economy as well — and yet they’re often ignored by policymakers because they aren’t considered as serious as other diseases like cancer or diabetes, which receive far more funding from government agencies and private foundations alike.
Anxiety & Depression Are Costing the US Economy Billions of Dollars
Anxiety and depression are the leading cause of disability in the US, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). They are also estimated to cost employers more than $100 billion annually due to reduced productivity and absenteeism. According to a 2017 report from Aon Hewitt, mental health problems cost employers more than $100 billion annually due to reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Mental Health Problems are the Leading Cause of Disability in the US
Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability in the US and affect 1 in 5 adults. This means that you’re more likely to have a mental health problem than cancer, diabetes or heart disease. In fact, people with depression are almost twice as likely to be unable to work than people who have arthritis–and three times more likely than those with hypertension (high blood pressure).
Nearly One-Third of Americans Living With Mental Health Problems Are Not Receiving Treatment
As you can see, there are many ways to treat mental health problems. If you or someone you love is suffering from anxiety, depression or another condition that affects your mental health, it’s important to get help.
For many people who live with mental illness every day, therapy is an effective way of managing symptoms and improving their lives. For others who find themselves struggling with the same issues but don’t want to seek professional services, self-care strategies like meditation or journaling can help them cope with stressors in their lives while also providing some relief from symptoms of depression and anxiety.
If medication is needed as part of treatment plan (and sometimes even if it isn’t), a doctor may prescribe antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac or Zoloft; tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); atypical antipsychotics such as Seroquel XR® or Abilify Maintena®.*
Every 10 Seconds in the U.S., Someone Is Diagnosed With a Mental Illness
You may be thinking, “I don’t have a mental illness.” But it’s not that simple.
A mental illness is a condition with which you struggle–it can be episodic or chronic, but either way it affects your life in some way: how you feel about yourself and others; how you interact in social situations; how effectively and efficiently you’re able to complete tasks at home or work. Mental illnesses are not just feelings of sadness or anxiety; they also include eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa; schizophrenia spectrum disorders (like schizoaffective disorder); bipolar disorder type I & II; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more. In fact, every 10 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with some form of mental illness!
But wait…there’s more! It’s estimated that only one-third of those suffering from these conditions seek treatment because there are still so many stigmas associated with seeking help for such personal matters like this one–especially when we live in such a competitive society focused on success over anything else.”
According to a 2017 report, mental health problems cost employers more than $100 billion annually due to reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Mental health problems are expensive for employers. According to a 2017 report, mental health problems cost employers more than $100 billion annually due to reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Employers must take steps to mitigate these costs by providing support for employees with mental health problems. One way they can do this is by offering employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide confidential counseling services through phone calls or online chat sessions with trained counselors who specialize in workplace issues such as stress management and coping strategies for managing depression or anxiety disorders.
We need to treat anxiety and depression like we treat other chronic diseases.
You may have heard that depression and anxiety are the leading cause of disability in the United States. In fact, mental health problems are so common that almost everyone has experienced them at some point in their lives. In addition to being a major cause of disability, mental health issues cost employers more than $100 billion annually due to reduced productivity and absenteeism.
In order to address these problems as effectively as possible, we need to treat anxiety and depression like we treat other chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease–by identifying them early on and providing treatment tailored for each individual’s needs
The statistics are alarming. We need to treat anxiety and depression like we treat other chronic diseases. This means more research, better access to treatment and more support for people living with mental health problems.
