Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General

1. What two messages does the report hope to convey?

The report hopes to convey that first, mental health is fundamental to health. Meaning that
our mental health is as important as our physical health and we need to think of it in that way.
And it hopes secondly to convey, that mental health issues are real health conditions. They
have an impact of our bodies and our families just as any disease or health concern does and
that by making people aware of thinking like this will increase the support from the public
for mental health practices and the patient/clients they serve.

2. What are the report's two main conclusions?

There are two main conclusions that the report found. One; that the efficacy of mental health
treatments is well documented. Two broad types of intervention include psychosocial
treatmentsfor example, psychotherapy or counselingand psychopharmacologic treatments; these
often are most effective when combined. And that a range of treatments exists for most mental
disorders. This has lead to the report to recommend that if someone has a mental health
problem or they think they have symptoms of a mental disorder, they should get help.

3. What are the three leading causes of disability and premature death in the US?

The three leading causes of disability and premature death in the United States are
cardiovascular conditions, mental illnesses (including suicide), and malignant diseases in that
order.

4. What percentages of Americans who experience a mental disorder also have a co-
occurring alcohol or drug problem?

15% of Americans who experience a mental disorder also have a co-occurring alcohol or
drug problem which makes treatment more complicated.

It was an interesting read. I learned some things I didnt know, but most of it was not new to me.
I am guessing because I am working on getting my degree in counseling and because it has been
so long since this was written. One of the things that did surprise me was that it stated that
culturally appropriate treatments were available, but not widely used. I realize that this report
was written in 1999, so I am hopeful that they are more available now.