On December 13, 1999, the Surgeon General released the report: Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, in which Surgeon General Dr. David Sacher asserts that "Through much of this era of great challenge and greater achievement, concerns regarding mental illness and mental health too often were relegated to the rear of our national consciousness."

"My message to Americans is this": said the Surgeon General, "If you, or a loved one, are experiencing what you believe might be the symptoms of a mental disorder, do not hesitate to seek effective treatment now. Insist on the kinds of services that this report makes clear can and should be available. While there is no single solution to any mental disorder, most people with mental disorders have treatment options, including medications and short term psychotherapy, and community-based supportive services."

"The report provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to dispel the myths and stigma surrounding mental illness," said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala.

The report notes that disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and eating disorders are real illnesses that, if left untreated, can be as disabling and serious as cancer and heart disease in terms of premature death and lost productivity. Manic-depressive (bipolar) illness, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease are other common mental illnesses that affect millions of Americans. However, the quality of life is tremendously improved when a mental disorder or mental health problem is diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

The report proposes broad courses of action to improve the quality of mental health in the nation, including: continuing to build the science base, overcoming stigma, improving public awareness of effective treatment, ensuring the supply of mental health services and providers, ensuring the delivery of state-of-the-art treatments, tailoring treatments to age, gender, race, and culture, facilitating entry into treatment, and reducing financial barriers to treatment.

To receive the Executive Summary of the report, a resource directory, fact sheets and a catalog of related materials available from federal agencies, call the toll-free number 1-877-9-MHEALTH or write to Mental Health, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009. A full copy of the report is available on the Surgeon General’s website at or at the website of the National Institute of Mental Health at