The National Council's Message Piece "Fulfilling the Promise," describes the value of mental health and addicitons treatment services delivered by safety net providers in communities across the USA.

Download PDF of Fulfilling the Promise

Fact Citations

Almost 60 million Americans – one of four adults and one of five children – have a mental illness that can be diagnosed and treated in a given year. Mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes, or even heart disease.
National Institute of Mental Health Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/statistics/index.shtml on July 20, 2010.

Success rates for treating mental illnesses now exceed those of leading physical illnesses. Up to 90% of people treated with a combination of medication and therapy experience substantially reduced symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and increased productivity.
National Institute of Mental Health

Addictions treatment has been shown to cut drug use in half, reduce crime by 80%, and reduce arrests up to 64%.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/cjtreatment.html on July 20, 2010.

Those with serious mental illness die 25 years sooner than the general population — men at about age 53 and women at age 59.
Parks J, Svendsen D, Singer P, Foti ME. Morbidity and mortality in people with serious mental iIllness. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, Medical Directors Council, 2006. See Report.