Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1097833
www.wellbeingtrust.org | #BeWell, #BeHeard, #BeThere 24 | Well Being Trust | 2018 Annual Report On October 3, Well Being Trust, along with the Kennedy-Satcher Center, the Kennedy Forum, and the Carter Center, released "Evaluating State Mental Health and Addiction Parity Statutes," with 32 states receiving a failing grade for statutes designed to ensure equal access to mental health services. The analysis was spotlighted at a major event on Capitol Hill, during which several members of Congress spoke. The effort resulted in significant media and social placements, including an article in the Washington Post, an op-ed co-authored by Ben Miller and Patrick Kennedy in STAT News, and a web build-out by media partner Ozy. Well Being Trust continued the Pain in the Nation work with grantee Trust for America's Health by issuing three new policy briefs, focused on alcohol, drug and suicide death rate disparities; the education sector; and health care systems. Additionally, with TFAH, WBT provided timely comments around the release of new mortality data related to drugs, alcohol, and suicide. And, together, we created an interactive, solutions-focused web presence for tackling the "deaths of despair" and continued social media campaigns to highlight policy- oriented answers to the epidemics. To date, activities have resulted in more than 1 million social impressions. I N 2 0 1 5 D R U G S O p i o i d s ' g r i m t o l l A L C O H O L A n e s c a l a t i n g c r i s i s S U I C I D E S R i s k s — a n d r a t e s — g r o w More than 1 million people have died from drugs, alcohol and suicide over the past decade. If these trends continue, the death rate could grow to claim 1.6 million more lives by 2025. 127,500 People died from drugs, alcohol and suicide 52,400 Number of drug deaths in 2015, nearly triple what they were in 2000. 286% Drug deaths in non-metro areas increased 286% from 1999 to 2015. 33,200 Number of alcohol-induced deaths in 2015, a 35-year high. 37% Alcohol deaths increased by more than one-third between 2000 and 2015. 44,000 Number of suicides in 2015. 40% Rural suicide rates are 40 percent higher than in metro areas. 192,000 Projected annual deaths from drugs, alcohol and suicide 5 states Had death rates above 60 per 100K people 26 states Projected to reach 60 deaths per 100K people I N 2 0 2 5 * * Data analysis and projections were provided by Berkeley Research Group (BRG), a global strategic advisory and expert consulting firm that provides independent advice, data analytics, authoritative studies, expert testimony, investigations, and regulatory and dispute consulting to Fortune 500 corporations, financial institutions, government agencies, major law firms, and regulatory bodies around the world. www.thinkbrg.com. Visit PainInTheNation.org THESE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING, TRAGIC — AND PREVENTABLE. — John Auerbach, president and CEO of TFAH