Behavioral Disorders: The New Public Health Crisis

Behavioral health has become a public health crisis. No other public health crises are as widespread or contribute as much
to the burden of illness in the U.S. as do behavioral health disorders. By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass
all physical diseases worldwide as major causes of disability. Yet state and federal governments continue to make steep cuts
to funding for public behavioral health services. We cannot afford to wait for the next national tragedy to recognize that
behavioral health disorders are a public health crisis deserving of our nation’s attention and support.