Mental Health and Substance Abuse Spending by Age, 2003

This article presents national estimates of mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) spending in 2003 by age groups. Overall, $121 billion was spent on MHSA treatment across all age groups in 2003. Of the total $100 billion spent on MH treatment, about 17% was spent on children and adolescents, 68% on young and mid-age adults, and 15% on older adults. MH spending per capita by age was $232 per youth, $376 per young and mid-age adult, and $419 per older adult. Of the total $21 billion spent on SA treatment, about 9% was spent on children and adolescents, 86% on adults ages 18 through 64, and 5% on older adults age 65 and older. SA spending per capita by age was $26 per youth, $98 per mid-age adult, and $28 per older adult.