WHEN MENTAL HEALTH BECOMES A COMMUNITY ISSUE

BY RALEIGH DURAN – Although mental health concerns are quick to be addressed by schools and universities, it seems that the “higher powers” have forgotten that mental illness affects all populations just the same. As this topic rises in prevalence, it becomes increasingly clear that we have neglected to consider the entire community. It is crucial that we consider the entirety of Athens-Clarke County rather than only the University of Georgia (UGA). Resources are abundant for students plagued by depression or anxiety, yet help is not as accessible to the general population struggling with their own mental illnesses. UGA students may simply call and make an appointment with the campus health center, while, in contrast, a significant portion of the local Athens community is homeless and uninsured.

Athens-Clarke County exists as one of the poorest counties, per capita, in the United States. This fact easily overlooked because, for the majority, Athens is only relevant for a couple Saturdays in the fall. Approximately 16% of the population lives under the poverty line, whereas 18% of the population is designated as “chronically homeless.” These statistics are staggering, especially when we include the fact that 44% of the homeless community reports “severe mental illness” and 32% admits chronic substance abuse. For a city of the size of Athens, this means that thousands of people are currently suffering without proper access to resources.

So, what does this mean for the community as a whole?

According to the World Health Organization, cities are likely to see a rise in mental illnesses between this year and 2050. In addition, mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia are most common in large, urban cities to begin with. Because of this, cities are required to spend more of their budgets on evaluating and treating these illnesses with mental illness, accounting for more than 4% of their total GDP, or income. Additionally, there are direct costs to the city, such as healthcare and social work costs to assist the afflicted. People with mental illness are also more prone to physical ailments like heart disease and cancer. This exponentially increases the healthcare costs of the population, thus placing an economic burden on the community as a whole. Ultimately, a problem that could potentially have been resolved with minor interventions becomes a much larger problem, detrimentally impacting not only healthcare but also the city’s economics.

Not only are there direct impacts on cities due to rising mental health concerns, but there are also harmful indirect costs. According to the Center for Urban Design and Mental Health, people suffering from mental health disorders are likely to experience “distress, discrimination, marginalization, problems with their employment, their finances, their relationships with family and friends, their physical health, and their ability to live a productive and satisfying life” ultimately impacting their ability to participate fully in “multiple facets of the thriving urban community.” When a significant portion of the population faces these kinds of negative experiences, the city as a whole cannot thrive. Mental health becomes not about the person but the population.
Even the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has become involved in this issue by recognizing depression as a public health issue. The CDC estimates that by 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability in the world, second only to cardiovascular disease. In more quantitative terms, in 2010, the economic burden of depression worldwide totalled over $200 billion dollars. Clearly a solution must be found, however, the trouble with an issue as multifactorial as this, is that the solution would have to include numerous layers of individuals, groups, companies, and clinicians all working together. The question really evolves into: what can be done in the interim?

As of late, mental health concerns have been more open to discussion and study than in the past. Schools are readily educating their students about the warning signs and prevention strategies for depression and anxiety, and this focus will only continue to increase. Beginning in Fall 2019, incoming freshmen at the University of Georgia will be required to attend a two day, mental health “orientation,” informing them of helpful campus resources. Several organizations on campus have also gotten involved, planning events to relieve stress, like therapy dogs and ice cream.

But, in regard to the community, what can be done? How should resources best be allotted? These are questions that cities will be forced to address in the coming years. Whether it occurs through increased funding towards mental health resources or through new companies that seek to hire the mentally ill and help them to establish their purpose in society, the community needs to be willing to put in the effort in order to benefit as a whole in the long run.