Mental health is one of the most significant health care challenges facing Americans today. An unseen and often overlooked health care need, it impacts people everywhere — at home, in the workplace and at school. It is estimated that:

• 1 out of 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness at some point in their lives
• Nearly 10 million adults live with a serious mental illness
• One-half of all chronic mental illnesses begin by age 14, while three-quarters begin by age 24

The prevalence of mental illness is worrying; however, the fact that so many people are not receiving treatment for it should be even more concerning. Of those who suffer with a mental illness, nearly three out of five adults and half of children ages eight to 15 didn't receive mental health services in the previous year. Given the ubiquity of this crisis, why aren't people getting the help they need? Two reasons: the cost of treatment and the stigma surrounding mental health.

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In fact, half of all mental illness patients rank treatment costs as the primary reason they don't seek help, even if they have health insurance.