Full Description
Mental health and substance use disorders touch lives across all demographics, transcending age, race, and socioeconomic status. These conditions are not only prevalent and recurrent but also severe, yet there is hope in their treatability. In the past year, over 106,000 lives were tragically lost due to drug overdoses. Alarmingly, the CDC has reported a more than threefold increase in overdose deaths involving fentanyl over the last five years. Emergency room visits for opioid-related overdoses surged by 41 percent among boys and 10 percent among girls aged 12 to 17. Despite these harrowing statistics, a staggering 94 percent of individuals aged 12 and older with substance use disorders remain untreated. The situation is equally dire for those facing mental health challenges. With over one in five adults in the United States experiencing a mental health disorder, there remains a significant gap in care, as evidenced by the over 10 million individuals reporting an unmet need for mental health services. This book delves into the pressing necessity for an improved system of care, one that adequately addresses the intertwined crises of mental health and substance use disorders. By examining current gaps and proposing comprehensive solutions, we hope to illuminate a path toward a more equitable and effective approach to mental health and substance use disorder care.
