Gap Between Need for Mental Health Treatment and Receipt of Treatment Shrinks
Mental disorders are among the most common causes of disability. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020) and an estimated one-in-20 adults have a serious mental illness (14.2 million) that substantially interferes with major life activities. These statistics are even higher for adolescents, where half of teens have had a mental disorder in their lifetimes and 22% have had a severe impairment. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States for adolescents and young adults up to age 34, and the 12th leading cause overall, accounting for 46,000 deaths nationwide in 2020.[1] This indicator measures the number of poverty-level residents estimated to be in need of mental health services and the number of clients served by publicly funded County mental health programs. It also measures suicide rates overall and by subgroups.
TREND
Treatment
The gap between the need for mental health care and the number receiving treatment declined in 2021/22 for the second year in a row. The number of clients receiving public mental health services continued to fall in 2021/22. Of the estimated 56,939 low-income residents in need, 40,023 clients were served, leaving 16,916 low-income residents in need of mental health services in 2021/22 who did not get care. This gap between need and receipt of services was lower in 2021/22 than the past 10-year average.
DECLINING GAP BETWEEN NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND NUMBER RECEIVING IT
Unduplicated Count of Clients Served by the County Mental Health Plan and the Estimated Number of Poverty-level Residents in Need of Mental Health Services, in San Bernardino County, 2013-2022
Over the past 10 years, mental health care for children ages 0-5 has seen the largest increase, growing 97% since 2012/13, followed by children ages 12-17, growing 6%. All other age groups saw a decline in mental health services during the same period. Overall, 42% of clients served in 2021/22 were children and youth ages 0-17 years, including 2,743 children ages 0-5 (7% of all clients) and 8,892 children ages 12-17 (22% of all clients).
NUMBER OF YOUNG CHILDREN RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NEARLY DOUBLED IN 10 YEARS
Unduplicated Count of Clients Served by the Public Mental Health System by Age in San Bernardino County, 2013-2022
Suicide
While suicide deaths fluctuate annually, general trends can be observed.[2] The absolute number of suicide deaths in San Bernardino County has increased in the 10-year period between 2011 and 2020, but the rate has remained relatively flat due to population increases over the same period. The suicide rate among 25-44-year-old residents has increased the fastest between 2011 and 2020, rising an estimated 37%. Residents 65 years of age and older had the highest rate of suicide in 2020. Firearms were used in 42% of San Bernardino County suicide deaths.
SUICIDE RATE AMONG 25-44 YEAR OLDS HAS INCREASED THE FASTEST OVER TIME
Suicide Rate by Age in San Bernardino County and California, 2011-2020
The Mental Health-Physical Health Connection
Mental health and physical health are closely connected. Mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, reduce one’s ability to participate in health-promoting behaviors such as eating right, exercising, and minimizing use of alcohol and tobacco. In turn, problems with physical health, such as chronic diseases (see Chronic Disease), can have a serious impact on mental health and decrease a person’s ability to participate in treatment and recovery. Mental health and substance abuse also tend to be closely linked (see Substance Abuse).
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Treatment
Of the clients served by county mental health services during 2021/22, 44% were Latino, 23% were White, 15% were Black, 2% were Asian or Pacific Islander, less than 1% were Native American, and 15% were some other race or ethnic group, or unreported.
LATINO AND WHITE RESIDENTS COMPRISE THE MAJORITY OF CLIENTS RECEIVING PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Distribution of Unduplicated Count of Clients Receiving Public Mental Health Services by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2021/22
Suicide
White residents had both the highest count and rate of suicide deaths in San Bernardino County in 2020, at 140 and 23.2, respectively.[3] Men were more than four times as likely as women to die by suicide in 2020.
WHITE RESIDENTS MAKE UP THE GREATEST SHARE OF SUICIDES IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Suicide Count by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2020
The Relationship Between Firearms and Suicide Deaths
While firearms are used in less than 10% of suicide attempts, they account for nearly half of all suicide deaths due to their lethality. Research has shown that policies that reduce access to guns, at least temporarily, can reduce suicide rates. These policies include permit-to-purchase laws, waiting periods, child access prevention laws, and extreme risk protection orders. The vast majority of people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die of suicide in the future, pointing to the value of prevention in times of crisis.
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
Suicide
Overall, in 2020, San Bernardino County had a higher rate of suicides per 100,000 residents (12.5 per 100,000) than the statewide average (11.6 per 100,000). The rate of suicide among residents ages 45-64 is lower in San Bernardino County than the state.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUICIDE RATE IS HIGHER THAN STATE
Suicide Rate by Age San Bernardino County and California, 2020
[1] National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtml)
[2] Rate of change is calculated on three-year rolling average suicide rates.
[3] The data source combines White with Other/Unknown, so these findings should be interpreted with caution.