Survey finds many Americans unaware of mental health help

When left untreated, a mental illness may lead an individual to turn to illicit substances to cope with the symptoms. Drug rehab and mental health facilities can help people with addictions as a result of an illness, but seeking resources to treat the condition ahead of time may be able to prevent drug dependency.

Experts say that many Americans are unaware of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which went into effect in 2008. The legislation mandates equal coverage of mental health benefits by insurance companies across the country.

A recent poll conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 87 percent of individuals had never heard of the act. Approximately 26 percent of adults in the U.S. have a diagnosed mental condition, but only 33 percent have sought treatment.

The law, which was created by the Bush administration, equalizes the out-of-pocket co-pay costs of mental health treatments to those of physical health coverage. The legislation also removes the limitation on the number of outpatient visits annually.

The 2004 Census found that more than 57 million people age 18 and older had a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.