Mental Health: The Suffering of the Sick and the Cost to Society

In America, those with mental illness struggle with housing, social acceptance, hunger, chronic challenging symptoms, stigmas, ADL skills, legal constraints, exploitation, poverty, and healthcare. The needs of those with mental illness have a profound impact on the country's economy and a heavy burden on their families and the communities they reside in. With policy changes that have reduced the length of stay in mental health institutions, the cost to keep the mentally ill in our communities has increased tremendously. Governments, communities, and families are all impacted by the challenges and the cost of mental health services. The paper addresses the challenges that individuals with mental illness are facing in today's America. What are government and local communities doing to address this challenge?