Analysis: Untreated mental illness costs Colorado billions annually

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(Photo: Rocky Mountain PBS I-News)
<p>An analysis by Rocky Mountain PBS I News shows untreated mental health costs add up to $5.4 billion annually in the state.</p>
Photo: I News logo

Rocky Mountain PBS I-News says Colorado is paying a big price for not spending enough money to prevent mental illness.

An I-News analysis shows lost wages from workers who have an unaddressed mental health issue total almost $3 billion a year.

Untreated mental health also causes people to visit the emergency room more often, racking up expensive bills.

"Mental illnesses collectively make up the most prevalent conditions among Medicaid clients who frequent the ER six times or more in a span of 12 months," I-News reports.

The I-News report can be found here.