Introduction

摘要

In the United States, mental and neurological health problems are among the costliest challenges we face. Depression, Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are only a handful of the many illnesses that contribute to this cost. The global cost of mental health conditions alone was estimated at $2.5 trillion in 2010, with a projected increase to over $6 trillion in 2030. Neurological illnesses and mental disorders cost the U.S. more than $760 billion a year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates one out of four people worldwide will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives, while one in five Americans experience a mental health problem in any given year. Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet most public service announcements and government education programs remain focused on physical health issues such as cancer screening, influenza vaccines, and obesity. Despite the substantial and rising burden of such disorders, there is a significant shortage of resources available to prevent, diagnose, and treat them; thus technology must be brought to bear—in particular, language technology.