A Few Facts about Mental Health in the United States

The staff supervisor at St. Francis Animal Rescue in Venice, Florida, Patricia Lynn Hough collaborates with the shelter’s veterinarian to provide medical care. Prior to this position, Patricia Lynn Hough had a successful career in social work and psychiatry.

In the United States, estimates are that one in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder. Despite this, general society still places minimal importance on mental health. 

Maintaining mental health is beneficial to physical health. People without depression, stress, or anxiety experience decreased physical pain and improved immune function, and their life expectancy is longer. 

People who are not depressed, stressed, or anxious are less likely to commit violent crimes or become victims of violent crimes. They are less likely to lash out at those around them, so their children have a smaller risk of being abused.

Benefits of mental health extend beyond the individual to business and society. Mental health treatment is believed to reduce medical visits by 90 percent and drop overall medical treatment costs by 35 percent. 

Individuals who are mentally healthy are significantly more productive at work and are better at helping their companies grow and succeed. Poor mental health leads to increased workplace accidents and decreased work attendance. 

According to the World Health Organization, roughly 200 million workdays are lost every year because of depression. Individuals with depression and anxiety use sick leaves more frequently and for longer periods of time.