Recent survey finds 20% of Americans experienced mental illness in the past 12 months. In the past year, 45 million individuals developed mental disorders, but less than 40% of these received mental health services. 20% of the 45 million also had a comorbid substance disorder. This rate is about three times higher than the general population. This survey indicates that over 60% of those with mental disorders in any given year go undiagnosed and untreated.
With looming state and local budget cuts, reducing community health and state hospital services, the public and law enforcement officials will need to be more wary and will need to raise their level of awareness about how to deal with symptomatic people in the general population. Unfortunately, many families first access emergency mental health services with a call to 911.
Dr. Covert responds to his patients’ needs by scheduling appointments for evaluation soon after each prospective patient calls. Also, each patient is provided with appropriate objective psychological screening testing to insure accurate diagnosis and effective and timely, evidence-based psychiatric treatment.
Posted on 2-1-2011
