It s harder to concentrate, to maintain a job, and to stay out of trouble. Studies have shown that many people end up in prison because of lack of treatment. There are many children, especially in the inner city and rural communities, who don t have access to treatment and they end up in the juvenile justice system, Satcher said. We estimate that up to 20 percent of the people in jails and prisons in this country today are suffering from mental illness when, if they had gotten the treatment they needed, they could have been very successful people. Early diagnosis is extremely important, he stressed, just like early detection of cancer or heart disease, because it can save lives.
Chronic depression is the same kind of problem.
Eighty to 90 percent of the people who suffer from mental health problems could lead productive lives and have healthy relationships if they are appropriately treated, he said. That s why he is focusing so much effort to make sure that the people who can make a difference in children s lives are educated so they can recognize signs of mental health problems. When Maryann was diagnosed with major depression, she said at first they were very upset. They ve always had this image of me as the perfect child. And they didn't want a child with defects.