NCJ Number
240166
Date Published
June 2008
Length
88 pages
Annotation
Due to concerns about young adults with serious mental illness transitioning into adulthood, the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) responded to a request to provide information on the number of these young adults and their demographic profiles, the challenges they face, how selected States assist them, and how the Federal Government supports States in serving these young adults and coordinates programs that can assist them.
Abstract
This report estimates that at least 2.4 million young adults aged 18 through 26 (6.5 percent of the non-institutionalized young adults in that age range) had a serious mental illness in 2006, and they had lower levels of education on average than other young adults. The actual number is like to be higher, because homeless, institutionalized, and incarcerated persons were not included in this estimate. Among those with serious mental illness, nearly 90 percent had more than one mental disorder, and they had significantly lower rates of high school graduation and postsecondary education. GAO also found that approximately 186,000 young adults received Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits in 2006 because of a mental illness that prevented them from engaging in substantial, gainful activity. The four States visited by GAO help young adults with serious mental illness transition into adulthood by offering programs that provide multidimensional services intended to be age and developmentally appropriate. These programs integrate mental health treatment with employment and other supports. In order to deliver these services, States use various strategies. They coordinate across multiple State agencies, leverage Federal and State funding sources, and involve young adults and their families in developing policies and aligning supports. Federal agencies have also established bodies to coordinate programs to serve those with mental health needs, youth with disabilities, and youth in transition. GAO did not make any recommendations. The study methodology is described. Appended Federal programs that help young adults with a serious mental illness, evidence-based practices, and demographic characteristics of young adults by severity of mental illness and recipients of SSA disability benefits