This report, published in 2007, provides estimates of national expenditures on mental health and substance abuse services between 1993 and 2003.  The report analyzes expenditures by payer, provider type, and setting as well as comparing M/SU expenditures with overall U.S. health care costs and analyzing trends in spending from 1993 through 2003. 

From the report: 

In any given year, about six percent of adults have a serious mental disorder (Kessler et al., 2005b). A similar percentage of children—about five to nine percent—has a serious emotional disturbance (Friedman et al., 1996). More than nine percent of the population suffers from substance abuse or dependence (SAMHSA, 2005). Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for individuals ages 15 to 44 (World Health Organization, 2004). Although a range of efficacious treatments is available to ameliorate symptoms of mental illnesses and substance use disorders (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999), financial barriers often stand in the way of receipt of effective treatment. For example, a recent SAMHSA survey finds that among the 11 million adults who reported having unmet need for treatment for mental health problems in the past year, nearly half reported cost or insurance issues as a barrier to treatment receipt (Office of Applied Studies, In Press). Given the immense burden of disability associated with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, it is important to know how much the United States is investing in treatment of these conditions. Moreover, because of the rapid changes occurring in treatment technologies, philosophy, organization, and financing, the extent and character of this investment should be tracked over time. The report addresses the following key questions:

• What do the latest data for 2003 tell us about how much was spent in the United States to provide mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) treatment and its component parts—mental health (MH) and substance abuse (SA)?
• Which health care providers supply treatment for MH and SA and how much is spent by provider type?  
• How much is spent by type of setting on MH and SA services?  Who pays for MH and SA services and how much do they spend?  
• How has spending changed from 1993 to 2003? How do MHSA expenditures compare with those for all U.S. health care?

Full report: National Expenditures for Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatment, 1993-2003 (PDF | 1.69 MB)

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). National Expenditures for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment, 1993-2003. Mark, T.L., Levit, K.R., Coffey, R.M., McKusick, D.R., Harwood, H.J., King, E.C., Bouchery, E., Genuardi, J.S., Vandivort-Warren, R., Buck, J.A., Ryan, K.