Mental health status and access among adults in the greater Houston area

Among local and state population based surveys, mental health status and access to care indicators are neither measured consistently nor comprehensive enough to gauge status and access needs of area residents. While mental disorders are common across socio-economic strata, the burden of illness among the uninsured and underinsured is absorbed by minimally funded community programs, safety net hospitals and the criminal justice system. In Texas, state funded mental health services are at risk for drastic budget cuts in order to accommodate the state's $25 billion budget shortfall. Analyzing data from the Health of Houston Survey 2010 (HHS 2010), a population based survey of the nation's fourth largest metropolitan area, this study examines mental health status, treatment and unmet needs. HHS 2010 offers a unique perspective on mental health status and access that is not often captured in statewide or local surveys and provides a baseline measure for imminent changes to mental health access and services. Preliminary findings indicate that those at highest risk for a serious mental health disorder were more likely to be under 200% FPL and have less than a high school education. Cost is perceived as a large barrier to area residents seeking mental health services. Identifying access issues and other risks, prior to the implementation of state budget cuts and national health care reform, is necessary to alert our community to the current situation of unmet needs and to develop strategies to attend to the mental and emotional well being of Greater Houston area residents.