Increase the proportion of adults with serious mental illness who get treatment — MHMD‑04 Data Methodology and Measurement

Serious mental illness (SMI) among adults was defined in Public Law 102-321 as adults aged 18 or older who currently or at any time in the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder and resulting in substantial impairment in carrying out major life activities. In NSDUH, a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder was defined as for the other mental illness categories described previously (i.e., based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition [DSM-IV] and excluding developmental and substance use disorders); substantial impairment was defined based on clinical interview Global Assessment of Functioning scores of 50 or below. SMI was estimated based on a statistical model of a clinical diagnosis and responses to questions in the main NSDUH interview on distress (Kessler-6 scale), impairment (truncated version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule), past year major depressive episode, past year suicidal thoughts, and age. All adults with SMI were also classified as having any mental illness (AMI).

Mental health treatment in the past year was defined as the receipt of treatment or counseling for any problem with mental health, emotions, or behavior in the 12 months prior to the interview. Respondents were asked in the mental health services utilization section of the questionnaire to report whether they received mental health treatment in the past 12 months in an inpatient location, in an outpatient location, through the use of prescription medication, via telehealth treatment, or in a prison, jail, or juvenile detention center.