Mental illness in America affects 42.5 million adults, who have been given diagnoses like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Ten million are living with a “serious mental illness” so debilitating it interferes with their ability to carry out a typical daily routine. Recently the site 24/7 Wall St. reported that sufferers of serious mental illness are somewhat concentrated in clusters in different areas of the country.

Using records between 2013 and 2014 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration database, the site ranked mental illness populations nationwide, along with drug prescription rates among residents. Those suffering from mental illness are often treated with therapy and prescription drugs, such as anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and mood stabilizers, which increase in use with the number of mental illness diagnoses in a given location. Because only 4 percent of Americans are diagnosed with a serious mental illness, areas that exceed this average may require specialized attention so that an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.

Mental illness takes its toll on the country. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year. Aside from financial burdens, it comes with a number of health risks. Adults living with serious mental illness die an average of 25 years earlier than others, and are most at risk of dying from suicide. By identifying states with the greatest number of serious mental illness sufferers, health care providers can use mapping to target risk and administer adequate treatment and services.