Behavioral Health Workforce Issues

One in four Americans experiences a mental illness or substance use disorder each year, and the majority also has a comorbid physical health condition.

Nearly 44 million adults experience a mental illness in a given year.
1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness.
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Approximately 10.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addition disorders.*
On average, 115 Americans die every day for an opioid overdose.**

The need for a strong behavioral health care workforce is more important than ever. The AHA is working to strengthen this important area of health care and integrate it with primary care.

*Infographics: Mental Health Facts, National Alliance on Mental Health, www.nami.org.

**2019 AHA Environmental Scan.