Mental Health and Gender: Overview

[Page 1173]Mental health disorders are costly to treat in the United States. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the cost of treatment of mental health problems rose from $35.2 billion in 1996 to $57.5 billion in 2006. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that mental health problems are quite common throughout the United States, yet only about half the individuals who have a disorder receive treatment. There are many risks associated with mental health problems. These risks can be attributed to a variety of social and economic disparities.

Mental health problems can range from, for example, depressive disorders, such as major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, to anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, to psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia ...