Serious Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbances
SAMHSA is committed to promoting the prevention, treatment, and recovery of mental disorders and to bringing hope to adults who have serious mental illness (SMI) and children with serious emotional disturbances (SED).
According to SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (PDF | 642 KB), 14.6 million adults, or 5.7%, reported having SMI in the past year. And according to the Uniform Reporting System (URS) 2022 data (PDF | 186 KB), an estimated 4.6 million, or between 5 and 13% of children, were diagnosed with SED.
With early and consistent treatment, people with SMI and SED can manage their conditions, overcome challenges, and lead meaningful, productive lives.
Serious mental illness (SMI)
SMI is defined by someone over 18 having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that substantially interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. SMIs include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.
Watch people living with SMI share their stories.
Serious emotional disturbance (SED)
SED is defined by someone under the age of 18 having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.
Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC)
The Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC)
The Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC), established in 2017, reports to Congress and federal agencies on its efforts to address the critical needs of individuals living with SMI and SED, along with their families and caregivers. The ISMICC's work represents a critical step forward in creating a more integrated and effective system for addressing the needs of individuals with SMI and SED, demonstrating a comprehensive federal approach to mental health that emphasizes collaboration, evidence-based practices, and policy coordination.
Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Centers
The SMI TTAC provides essential tools, comprehensive training and technical assistance for professionals, community members, family members and people experiencing SMI.
The HHRC provides training on housing and treatment models focused on adults, children, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have SMI/SED, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders.
The National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI TTA Center) was developed to foster recover-oriented, early intervention programming for individuals who experience early SMI.
The CCBHC-E TA Center advances the CCBHC model by providing CCBHC Expansion program grantees training and technical assistance related to certification, sustainability and the implementation of processes that support access to care and evidence-based practices.
The CCBHC State TA Center contract supports states to plan for, develop, and implement state CCBHC programs. The TA Center provides direct on-on one technical assistance, supporting learning across states, developing resources and materials for states to support their programs.
The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions advances the implementation of high-quality, evidence-based treatment for individuals with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. They provide evidence-based resources, tools and support for organizations working to integrate primary and behavioral health care, and have expertise in organizational readiness, integrated care models, workforce & clinical practice, health & wellness, and financing & sustainability.
The CONSTACS are national peer-run centers that provide training and technical assistance to integrate peers and recovery in behavioral health services and promote evidence-based care for people with SMIs.
Help is Available
Need support now?
988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. Access for Deaf/HoH and Spanish speakers.
Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being, yet mental illness affects millions of people and their families nationwide. Know that treatment for mental illness is effective—and help is a phone call away. For more information, visit Mental Health Treatment Works.
Effective treatments for serious mental illnesses are available in your area. The earlier that you begin treatment, the greater likelihood of a better outcome. For confidential and anonymous help finding a specialty program near you, visit SAMHSA’s Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator.
If you have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment for a serious mental illness, but moved to a new location, help is available. Use SAMHSA’s FindTreatment.gov to locate a new program.