Statistics on Mental Health

Mental health disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 1 in 5 people live with a mental health disorder. Anxiety and depression are the most common. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of anxiety and depression have risen even higher.^1,2

Prevalence of mental illness in America

In the United States, mental health disorders pose a serious public health challenge. NAMI reports that:²

• 1 in 5 US adults experience a mental illness each year.
• 1 in 20 US adults experience a serious mental illness each year.
• 1 in 6 US children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year.

Mental health disorder demographics

Mental health disorders can impact anyone. There are many factors that play a role in whether someone develops a mental illness. Interestingly, about half of mental illnesses begin in the adolescent years, and about three-fourths begin by age 24.²

Of those who are affected by mental illness in the United States:²

• 16 percent are Asian
• 18 percent are Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• 21 percent are Black or African American
• 21 percent are Hispanic or Latino
• 24 percent are non-Hispanic white
• 27 percent are Native American or Alaska Native
• 35 percent are non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial

How mental health impacts work, school, and daily life

Mental well-being is critical to living a healthy and fulfilled life. If you have a mental health disorder, it may strongly impact many aspects of life, including work, school, and daily functioning.²

For young people, mental health disorders can make school a challenge. Students who live with mental illness are more likely to struggle with school. In fact, high school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out than students without depression.²

Data is similar for adults when it comes to the workplace. Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. And unemployment is higher among people with mental illnesses than among those who do not have a mental illness.²

Suicide statistics in the United States

Close to half of people who complete suicide in the US had been diagnosed with a mental health condition. And in nearly all completed suicides, a mental health condition was either known or suspected by family and friends.²

Sadly, suicide is the second leading cause of death among kids ages 10 to 14. It is the third leading cause of death among young adults ages 15 to 24.²

According to NAMI, the following report having had serious thoughts of suicide:²

• 13 percent of young adults ages 18 to 25
• 22 percent of high schoolers
• 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth

The risk of suicide sharply increases for people in the LGBTQ+ community:²

• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are nearly 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth
• Transgender adults are nearly 9 times more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life compared to the general population

Suicide is never the answer. If you or a loved one having thoughts of suicide, reach out for help. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Reducing stigma and closing the treatment gap

Despite the fact that mental health disorders are common and can be severe, many people do not receive needed care and treatment. The average time between first experiencing mental illness symptoms and getting treatment is 11 years. This is often referred to as the treatment gap.^2,3

Many factors contribute to the treatment gap, including:^2,3

• Social stigma
• Discrimination
• Lack of access to care and resources
• Poorer quality care
• Cost barriers

It is important to note that certain populations face unique challenges when living with mental health disorders and getting care. This includes the Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities. While anyone can be affected by mental illnesses, discrimination against these groups makes it more difficult to access treatment.^3,4

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 1 in 5 people in the United States received some kind of mental health treatment. Women were more likely to seek treatment than men. And non-Hispanic white adults (24.4 percent) were more likely to have received mental health treatment than Black (15.3 percent), Hispanic (12.6 percent), and Asian adults (7.7 percent).⁵

Promoting awareness

Mental health disorders impact millions of lives worldwide. To address these issues, governments, organizations, and communities need to improve mental health services, increase access to treatment, and promote mental health education and awareness so that people can get the support they need.^1-5