Missoula Measures - Mental Health

Indicator
Brief Background
Related Measures
Related Websites

Why this topic?

Depression

Everyone gets "the blues" occasionally and feels pessimistic, sad, apathetic, withdrawn, and has low energy. These bouts are usually of short duration and characterized by overcoming the cause of the problem. Some people, however, suffer from severe or clinical depression, the average episode of which lasts four months. More than half of people with one episode of major depression will have a second. (Peg Shea, Missoula County Blue Ribbon Commission II, 1995). Symptoms of severe depression require professional treatment with medication, psychotherapy, or both. Depression is significantly linked to suicide.

Other mental health concerns

The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports (2009) that about half of homeless people have a mental health issue. Of those, 25% have a chronic, serious mental illness.

Indicator

Prevalence of Depression: estimated 5% of adults in US; approximately 4% of adolescents get seriously depressed (NIMH); annually 12% of women; 7% of men; lifetime risk of an episode for women 20%.

Lifetime risk for Depression: 8-9% of adults will have major depression during their lifetime in Canada (Health Canada)

Sources for data: Prevalence and Incidence of Depression

Healthy People 2020 Target

Adult with depression who receive treatment:

Baseline 2008 - 59% Target - 65%

Brief Background

Impact of Depression

A person with a depressive disorder is often unable to fulfill the daily responsibilities of being a spouse, partner, or parent. The misunderstanding of mental illness and the associated stigmatization prevent many persons with depression from seeking professional help. Many people will be incapacitated for weeks or months because their depression goes untreated.

Depression is also associated with other medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes as well as anxiety and eating disorders. Depression has also been associated with alcohol and illicit drug abuse. An estimated 8 million persons aged 15 to 54 years had coexisting mental and substance abuse disorders within the past year. The total estimated direct and indirect cost of mental illness in the United States in 1996 was $150 billion.

Treatment of Depression

Depression is treatable. Available medications and psychological treatments, alone or in combination, can help 80 percent of those with depression. With adequate treatment, future episodes of depression can be prevented or reduced in severity. Treatment for depression can enable people to return to satisfactory, functioning lives.

Populations With High Rates of Depression

Serious mental illness clearly affects mental health and can affect children, adolescents, adults, and older adults of all ethnic and racial groups, both genders, and people at all educational and income levels.

Adults and older adults have the highest rates of depression. Major depression affects approximately twice as many women as men. Women who are poor, on welfare, less educated, unemployed, and from minority populations are more likely to experience depression. In addition, depression rates are higher among older adults with coexisting medical conditions. For example, 12 percent of older persons hospitalized for problems such as hip fracture or heart disease are diagnosed with depression. Rates of depression for older persons in nursing homes range from 15 to 25 percent.

Source: Healthy People 2010