health
Serious mental illness most common among females, young adults
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 14, 2012
In 2009, about 11 million U.S. adults had experienced a serious mental illness in the past year, according to the latest mental health data issued April 25 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
A serious mental illness was defined as a diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorder that resulted in substantial impairment in carrying out major life activities.
Such conditions were more common among females (6%) than males (3%), and in adults 18 to 25 (7%) than those age 50 and older (3%), data show. Forty-percent of people with a serious mental illness did not receive mental health services, the report said (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/14/hlbf0514.htm.