Artful Dodger:

"Mental Illness disorders are prevalent in the United States. Approximately 26 percent of Americans 18 and older, that is one in four adults suffer from a diagnosed mental disorder. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15-44. It is estimated that many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a time."

"If mental illness statistics compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) is to be believed around 25 percent of the world population suffers from some or the other mental illness at some point of life. This and other such statistics on mental health problems reveal how severe this problem has become over the period of time."
As for the cost in the USA:

"The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conservatively estimates the total costs associated with serious mental illness, those disorders that are severely debilitating and affect about 6 percent of the adult population, to be in excess of $300 billion per year. This estimate is based on 2002 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Social Security Administration, and findings from the NIMH-funded National Comorbidity Survey – Replication (NCS-R). "

Obviously Europe is not alone in this. The world-wide estimated are at 25%, and the USA at 26%. That makes the USA no different from the average.

Our modern life is driven by overconsumption, overwork, war, economic crisis and political crisis. It comes as no surprise our societies are a mess.

Übergeek 바둑이: Figures from other organisations put the figure of people with mental illness higher, being 1 in 3 of all Americans. Stating that the NIMH figures are based on old data.

Though the danger through Victorian style stigmata and the lack of universal health care makes these figures more on a concern then in Europe, as many will never be diagnosed and/or given the treatment and care they deserve.

... Lifetime prevalence estimates put the US figures at about 57%

Or if you work in the CIA 100%

(V): such as?

Or did you make that up?

(V): wow, that's depressing.

I suppose if someone isn't already bummed out, there are plenty of facts and figures to remedy that situation.

I'm not only not responsible for my actions, I'm also not responsible for how I feel.

Iamon lyme: Actually I do hold myself responsible for both my actions and my feelings. After all, feelings follow (are caused by) actions and not the other way around.

One of the big lies out there is that we have no control over how we feel.. that's a big old load of alien hooey. It's why so many people who don't really need it (some people do need it) get suckered into taking anti-depressants. And speaking of aliens.. when global economics melt down into an incomprehensible mess, that's when the aliens will make their move.

Übergeek 바둑이: But this has nearly always been the case. In the history of the world, the above statement could have been said at many times in our history. What's the biggest factor that makes today so different?