Friday, March 30, 2018

Mental Health in California: For Too Many, Care Not There


 


 


CHCF

From the Foundation

http://www.chcf.org/publications/2017/11/implications-tax-bill


March 29, 2018


Mental Health in California:
For Too Many, Care Not There

When people think of chronic health conditions, they often think of diabetes or heart disease. But alongside these issues, mental health disorders are among the most common chronic illnesses that people face. In California, nearly one in six adults experiences a mental illness of some kind in any given year. One in 24 has a serious mental illness resulting in impairment that limits daily life activities. Children and teenagers also experience mental health disorders at high rates: One in 13 has an emotional disturbance that limits participation in regular activities. While mental illnesses can generally be managed successfully, too many people — almost two in three Californians — miss out on treatment.

Using the most recent data available, Mental Health in California: For Too Many, Care Not There provides an overview of mental health in California, including disease prevalence, suicide rates, supply and use of treatment providers, and mental health in the correctional system. The report also highlights data on quality of care and mental health care spending.

Key findings include:
·     The prevalence of serious mental illness varied by income, with much higher rates of mental illness at lower income levels for both children and adults.
·     Compared to the US, California had a lower rate of suicide, although it varied considerably within the state by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and region. Notably, the Northern and Sierra region had a suicide rate almost triple that of Los Angeles County.
·     About two-thirds of adults with a mental illness and two-thirds of adolescents with major depressive episodes did not get treatment.
·     Medi-Cal pays for a significant portion of mental health treatment in California. The number of adults receiving specialty mental health services through Medi-Cal increased by nearly 50% between 2012 and 2015, coinciding with an expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility.
·     The supply of acute psychiatric beds may have stabilized after a long period of decline. However, emergency department visits resulting in an inpatient psychiatric admission increased by 30% between 2010 and 2015.
·     The incidence of mental illnesses in California’s jails and prisons is very high. In 2015, 38% of female prison inmates and 23% of the male prison population received mental health treatment while incarcerated.

Access the full report, a quick reference guide, and an infographic on our website. These materials are part of CHCF’s California Health Care Almanac, a resource for key data and analyses describing our state’s health care landscape.

If you are a journalist seeking an interview, please contact Lisa Aliferis, senior communications officer, at laliferis@chcf.org or (510) 587-3159.



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