TEXAS

2015

THE MENTAL HEALTH
LANDSCAPE
Advancing the Mental Health of Texans by Improving Texas Mental Health Services†

67%

76%

Think that more state and local tax dollars
should be spent on mental health.

Have a close friend or family member that has
experienced a mental health related issue.

31%

9 in 10
Texans think it is harder for people to talk about a
mental health condition than a physical health condition.

Indicated if they or a family member needed help with
a mental health condition they would not know where
to go or who to contact for the proper treatment/help.

50%

CHILDREN
1 in 5

Of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.*

70%

Children** (age 0-11) experience a mental disorder
in a given year

10%

27%

Of children experience some impairment in daily
functioning at home, in school or in the community due
to mental health problems***

Of these youth experience
disorders so severe that
their ability to function is
significantly impaired.****

*National Institute for Mental Health

***US Department of Health & Human Services

**Federal Register

****National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice

VETERANS

VIETNAM

30%

IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

11%-20%

Of youth in the juvenile
justice system suffer from
mental health disorders.****

Have experienced
Post Traumatic
Stress.*

Have Post Traumatic
Stress in a given
year*

22%

1 in 10

S. Department of Veteran Affairs

Of all Operation Enduring Freedom
and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF)
combat wounds are brain injuries*

Returning soldiers seen at VA have a problem with
alcohol or other drugs*
*U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

SMART JUSTICE
Individuals with untreated mental health and
substance use disorders are 8 times more likely
to be incarcerated, often due to lack of access to
appropriate crisis services and ongoing care.

50%
Of prison and jail inmates in the United States have
been diagnosed with a behavioral disorder. **

34%

17%

Of adults
entering jails
and state prisons
have a serious
mental health
illness.*

Of Texas inmates
have a mental health
need and most have
substance use disorders***

* Council of State Governments Justice Center
** U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
*** Texas Department of Criminal Justice

We advocate for change and strive to eradicate the stigma, fear and misunderstanding
surrounding mental health while promoting access and early intervention for Texans with mental illness.
†

Key findings from survey’s conducted in 2014
among random selected voters.

texasstateofmind.org