Three Out of Five Ohions Affected by Mental Illness and/or an Addiction

In a recent survey of 414 households in December 2009 conducted by the Ohio Association of Behavioral Health Authorities, 45% of the respondents reported they had a friend or family member who has a substance abuse problem. Almost one out of two respondents were aware of a friend or family member with mental illness (49%). When combined, 63% of respondents had someone they were close to suffering with a behavioral health issue - that's three out of five.

Amazingly, almost 60% of respondents agreed that drug and alcohol addiction is a diesase of the brain and 96% agreed that through treatment these men and women can become productive citizens.

When it comes to mental illness 83% agreed that it is a diesase of the brain and also agreed that people with mental illness can recover.

It is estimated that one in four Ohioans have a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year.

• 63% of Ohioans have a family member or friend with a mental illness and /or substance abuse disorder


• 25% of Ohioans have a diagnosable mental disorder

We need to pay be paying attention to this epidemic.

These disorders are treatable! Look at the success rates of behavioral health conditions compared to other physical disorders:

• Bipolar Disorder 80% success rate


• Heart Disease 45% success rate


• Schizophrenia 60% success rate


• Hepatitis C 40% success rate


• Addiction 60% success rate

This is a time when we have the technology and the means to successfully treat our loved ones so that they can become productive citizens. With so many of our citizens impacted by mental illness and/or substance abuse shouldn't we be paying attention to this issue.

It is time we make our voices heard. Our silence does not help the ones we love who need us all to speak out on their behalf.

Let's afford the right to the "pursuit of happiness" to all of our citizens by making sure that the treatment they deserve is there when they need it.

A small investment in treatment today create a productive citizen tomorrow.

Mike Schoenhofer