September 17, 2009

Mental Health Research Findings

Federal cost of caring for mental health, abuse treatment, and substance abuse has increased $22.3 billion in the past ten years. But with the increased costs, investment in treatment settings has benefited so that children and adults are diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians and the use of telepsychiatry and new medications significantly improve treatment. The new settings and treatment have been able to reduce the amount of substance abuse and chronic illnesses, but not enough. The article outlines research findings by AHRQ about substance abuse, depression, psychosis, disparities, and the complete cost of care.