Ramin Mojtabai
National Trends in Mental Health Disability, 1997–2009
Johns Hopkins University
assessed recent trends mental health disability us nonelderly adult population context trends physical disabilities psychological distressusing data 312 364 adults aged 18 64 years us national health interview survey 1997 2009 examined time trends selfreported disability attributed mental health conditions disability attributed chronic problems significant psychological distress measured using k6 instrumentthe prevalence selfreported mental health disability increased 20 nonelderly adult population first 3 years 1997 1999 27 last 3 years 2007 2009 corresponding increase almost 2 million disabled adults disability attributed chronic conditions decreased significant psychological distress change appreciably change selfreported mental health disability pronounced adults also reported disability attributed chronic conditions significant psychological distress mental health contacts past yearthese findings highlight need improved access mental health services community better integration services primary care