A significant number of young adults in the United States battle with mental illness. Debilitating mental health disorders can seriously impact the quality of one’s life, and if left untreated they can lead to fatal outcomes. Unfortunately, many young adults who are living with mental health problems are unable to get the help they so desperately need. Common forms of mental illness include:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- PTSD
The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that young adults aged 18 to 25 living with any form of mental illness (AMI) are less likely to receive mental health services than adults aged 26 to 49 or adults aged 50 or older, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). In fact, the data indicates that only one-third of young adults diagnosed with a mental illness were able to get treatment in the last year. According to the survey, only 33.6 percent of about 2.4 million young adults living with mental illness received any of the following:
- Inpatient Services
- Outpatient Services
- Prescription Medication
About 1 in 4 received prescription medication and 1 in 5 received outpatient services, SAMHSA reports. Only 3.7 percent of young adults received inpatient services. The findings are especially troubling given the elevated rates of opioid addiction and overdose in the U.S., and highlights just how important it is to inform young people about the mental health options available. SAMHSA writes:
“Because young adults with AMI are less likely to receive services than adults in other age groups, young adults may benefit from developmentally appropriate services to facilitate the transition to adulthood. Young adults with AMI may want to talk to a mental health care professional to find out what type of services would best meet their needs.”
If you are a young adult living with a mental health disorder, such as a substance use disorder. Please contact Hope by The Sea to begin the journey of recovery. We can help you break the cycle of addiction and assist you in getting your life back on track.
