In 1986, we spent about $31 billion on mental health services in the United States.
In 1996, we spent about $62 billion.
In 2000, we spent about $79 billion.
In 2020, we spent about $238 billion.
And in 2023, we spent about $280 billion!
https://www.statista.com/statistics/252393/total-us-expenditure-for-mental-health-services/
Despite this staggering increase—3.5 times the amount spent in 2000, and 9 times more than in 1986— 2023 data shows that we now have the most depressed population and the highest number of suicides in recorded U.S. history.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/505745/depression-rates-reach-new-highs.aspx
Here’s a definition of insanity for you: we keep increasing mental health spending by billions every year, doing essentially the same things, but expecting different results. Yes, I’m sure some new approaches have been tried over the last 40 years, but to what effect? At best, our spending and methods might have kept the numbers from being even worse. But it’s hard to argue that they’ve made any large, positive difference.
The truth is, mental health—and basic common sense—tells us that the biggest factor in whether you’re mentally healthy is the strength of your connections. There are plenty of studies that prove this. Here’s one from Stanford:
Most mental health care today is some form of counseling and medication. We’ve never prescribed drugs at a higher rate. Yet, neither of these truly addresses the root issue: connection.
It’s no surprise, then, that our mental health numbers are so poor. As we’ve spent increasing amounts of time and money fighting symptoms, we’ve let the main cause go almost entirely ignored. We’ve allowed our world to become more and more disconnected.
Think about what’s happened since we spent $79 billion in 2000 and increased that to over $280 billion in 2023:
Wars.
Political discord.
Technology addiction.
COVID upending society.
And a world where family, community, and faith are devalued—the places where we used to find meaning, purpose, and worth.
The mental health community knows this (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9811250/), but doesn’t seem to know what to do about it. Besides, it’s easier to say, “We’ve always done it that way.”
And you know this, too. You don’t need a high IQ or advanced education to see what’s happening. You just need to pay attention. But it’s easier to bury our heads in the sand and say, “It’s not my problem.” The truth is, it is.
Are you struggling with mental health? Do you know someone who is? What’s the first thing you should do? Try going for a walk or a run. Grab a coffee with a friend for a long talk. Read books to your kids. Turn off your phones and play some games. Simple, but powerful.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/07/running-as-good-as-antidepressants-for-depression/
Get connected. It’s free. It’s easy. And it might just be the most important thing you do for yourself and the ones you love.
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