read success stories

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis please call:

Adult Crisis Line (24 hr):
(618) 465-4388

Child Crisis Line (24 hr):
(800) 345-9049 

Treatment Works

Mental illness is common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 22.1% of Americans ages 18 and older—about 1 in 5 adults—suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. In addition, four of the ten leading causes of disability in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders – including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Nearly two-thirds of all people with diagnosable mental disorders do not seek treatment Stigma surrounding the receipt of mental health treatment is among the many barriers that discourage people from seeking treatment.

Mental disorders respond to treatment much the same way as medical conditions. Like a medical condition, mental disorders won’t go away if they aren’t taken care of. Medication and therapeutic counseling are two effective ways that one can cope with a short- or long-term mental illness. Beyond medication, treatment can also include psychosocial interventions, family interventions, and vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation.

We believe in the value of treatment, the reality of recovery, and that all individuals have the capacity for improvement. Mental health and substance abuse treatment is part of a healthy community; its benefits cannot only be seen statistically but also in many success stories.

Treatment is beneficial to society:

After treatment of mentally ill individuals, many communities have enjoyed the following benefits:
• Crime related costs decreased by 75%.
• Healthcare costs decreased by 11%.
• Costs of police protection decreased by 75%.
• Jail costs decreased by 79%.
• Costs of probation/parole decreased by 79%.

Treatment reduces criminal activity and drug use, creating a safer community for all:
• Arrests decreased by 9 - 28%.
• Armed robbery incidents declined by 50%.
• Selling drugs decreased by 31 - 44%.
• Use of various illegal drugs decreased 14 - 45%.

Treatment offers individuals new opportunities:

Treatment provides opportunities for drug-free lifestyles:
• 40% of clients who completed treatment eliminated or reduced their dependence on welfare.
• 75% were able to remain drug free.
• Children of program participants enjoyed a more stable home environment. 84% improved their school performance.

Treatment provides opportunities for women and children:
• 95% of women who completed substance abuse treatment reported uncomplicated drug-free births.
• 46% obtained employment following treatment.
• 65% of their children were returned from foster care.

Treatment improves academic success:
• In districts that implemented mental health services, out of school suspensions dropped from 250 to 45 days.
• Parent involvement in the education process increased by 64%.
• Student attendance rose to 94%.

Complied by Community Behavioral Healthcare Association--January 2002