Games For The Assessment And Treatment Of Mental Health

The prevalence of mental illness is on the rise [7] - 18% of adults in the USA had a diagnosed mental illness in 2014 [31]; however, 57% of adults with mental illness in the USA do not receive treatment [28]. Untreated mental illness has serious consequences. The cost of depression and anxiety alone is estimated at $1 trillion per year in US dollars [8]. In addition to these financial costs, people experience costs to their well-being that range from a lower quality of life [39] to a loss of life [32]. Although mental health care systems can provide support, there are several reasons why people may not receive treatment [40]. For example, there are not enough trained professionals to provide for those in need; access to treatment is lower for people who live in underpopulated or lower-income areas [28]; and people with mild impairment lack access to a system that is already burdened from treating those with more severe issues.