By the Numbers

If you are struggling with a mental illness or substance use disorder (SUD), know that you are not alone. Millions of people in the United States are affected by behavioral health conditions.

23.1%

Prevalence of mental health disorders (18+)

17.3%

Prevalence of SUD (12+)

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2022

Baltimore’s Public Behavioral Health System

The Maryland Public Behavioral Health System is a statewide system of care that provides mental health and substance use services to low-income individuals, as well as families and people who are uninsured. In Baltimore City, more 107,000 people in Baltimore City accessed care through the system — an annual expenditure of more than $52 million.

Behavioral Health in Baltimore: By the Numbers

Trauma

Experiencing trauma as a child can have lifelong consequences. A growing body of research indicates that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contribute to negative physical and behavioral health outcomes. Experiencing six or more ACEs may reduce life expectancy by 20 years.

  • In Baltimore, 31% of adults have experienced three or more ACEs, compared to 23% Statewide.
  • Exposure to poverty or racism directly contributes to ACEs. In Baltimore 24% of people live below the poverty line compared to 9.9% of people statewide

Sources: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Maryland: Data from the 2020 Maryland BRFSS

There is a strong, graded relationship between ACEs and behavioral health problems including:

  • ACEs increase the risk of suicide attempts by 2 to 5-fold
  • Each ACE increases the likelihood of early initiation into illicit drug use by 2 to 4-fold
  • Preventing ACEs could reduce the number of adults with depression by as much as 44%.

Source: SAMSHA, The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Substance Misuse and Related Behavioral Health Problems, 2018 /Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Vital Signs

Overdose

The opioid overdose epidemic has been devastating in Baltimore. Between 2012 and 2021, the number of overdoses in Baltimore increased 378%, largely driven by opioids. There were 1,079 overdose deaths in Baltimore City in 2021; 90.1% of those deaths involved fentanyl.

Source: Maryland Department of Health, Unintentional Drug and Alcohol Related Intoxication Deaths in Maryland Annual Report, 2021

Suicide

Suicide rates have been steadily increasing in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates increased 37% between 2000 and 2018 and then decreased 5% between 2018 and 2020. Rates returned nearly to their peak in 2022.

The rates of youth suicide are significantly higher in Baltimore than in the rest of the state. In 2021-2022:

  • 40.6% of Baltimore high school students felt sad or hopeless
  • 20.6% have seriously considered suicide
  • 16.4% have made a plan about how they would attempt suicide

Source: Youth Risk Behavior Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS), 2022-2023