Mental Health Statistics & Facts in 2024: What the Data Reveals?

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our lives, influencing our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It shapes how we think, feel, and act, affecting our ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy decisions. From childhood through adulthood, mental health plays a vital role in our overall quality of life.

In the United States, mental health conditions are more common than many might realize, impacting tens of millions of people each year. Despite this prevalence, only about half of those affected receive the treatment they need. This gap highlights the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues.

Poor mental health can profoundly affect our well-being, our capacity to work, and our relationships with loved ones and the broader community. When someone struggles with a mental health condition, the impact often extends beyond the individual, touching families, communities, and even the economy.

As we explore the current state of mental health, we’ll look at how many people are affected, which populations are most at risk, and why it’s essential to pay attention to this critical aspect of our lives.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders

Each year, millions of people in the U.S. are impacted by mental illness. Measuring how common mental illness is helps us understand its physical, social, and financial effects. It also reminds us that no one is alone. These statistics are valuable for raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and pushing for improved health care.

- In 2023, approximately 58.7 million adults aged 18 or older had any mental illness (AMI), and of these, over 34.8 million received some form of mental health service during that time. (1)
- About 16.9 million adults aged 18 or older experienced serious mental illness (SMI) within the past year. (1)
- The highest percentage of SMI was observed in young adults aged 18 to 25, with 33.8% affected. This was followed by 29.2% of adults aged 26 to 49 and 14.1% of adults aged 50 or older. (1)
- Among adults aged 18 or older, Multiracial adults had the highest likelihood of experiencing any mental illness (AMI) in the past year, at 36.7%. This was followed by White adults (24.0%), Black adults (19.4%), Hispanic adults (20.6%), and Asian adults (18.1%). (1)

Access to Mental Health Services

Access to health care is generally easier for those who are financially stable. However, mental health services can be even more challenging to obtain due to varying insurance coverage, limited resources in some areas, and high out-of-pocket costs.

In the past year, among adults with AMI, approximately 25.6 million received mental health services, representing about 45% of those affected. The cost of mental health care is still a big obstacle for many people trying to get help. (1)
Among adults with SMI, approximately 11.4 million received mental health services, accounting for around 65% of those affected. Without regular care, patients with mental health disorders often end up seeking help for their conditions in emergency departments. (1)
Substance use disorders were diagnosed at a rate of 27.6 emergency department visits per 1,000 adults each year. This was followed by anxiety-related disorders at 14.3 visits, mood disorders at 12.2 visits, and schizophrenia at 4.6 visits per 1,000 adults per year. (23)

In 2023, 25.6% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 received mental health services through virtual (telehealth) platforms, amounting to approximately 3.3 million adolescents. (1)

Co-occurring Disorders

People can face various types of mental health issues, and sometimes, these issues can happen simultaneously. Mental illnesses might appear in short bursts or as longer episodes and then fade away. Some mental illnesses are ongoing, lasting conditions. There are over 200 different types of mental illness.
- Approximately 9.2 million U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder. Most people in the U.S. who have a substance use disorder aren’t getting the treatment they need. (1)

Mental Health in Children and Adolescents

Childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for mental health as the brain undergoes rapid growth and development. During this time, children and teens learn cognitive and social-emotional skills that will impact their future mental health and prepare them for adult responsibilities in society.

In 2021, 14.9% of children aged 5–17 received some form of mental health treatment in the past 12 months. This included 8.2% who took medication for their mental health and 11.5% who received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional. (2)

Children aged 12–17 were more likely to have received mental health treatment in the past 12 months (18.9%) compared to children aged 5–11 (11.3%). This treatment includes taking prescription medication and receiving counseling or therapy from a mental health professional. (2)
In 2023, 16.4% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year, which amounts to approximately 2.1 million adolescents. (1)
In 2021 Asian non-Hispanic children (4.4%) were less likely to receive mental health treatment than Hispanic (10.3%), Black non-Hispanic (12.5%), and White non-Hispanic (18.3%) children. (2)

Importance of Mental Health Care

Mental health is essential to our overall well-being, deeply affecting how we think, behave, and interact each day. When we have good mental health, we’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges, build strong relationships, and make choices that lead to a positive future for ourselves and our communities.

In 2020, 67.2% (1.1M) of LGB adults aged 18-25 with SMI received treatment, while 32.8% did not. (3)
122.2 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. (4)
As of December 2023, over 169 million Americans, more than half, live in Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas. (5)

Common Mental Disorders and Their Impact

Mental illness comes in many forms, each with its own set of symptoms. Significant changes in a person’s thoughts, moods, or behavior may indicate a mental illness. These changes can happen suddenly or develop slowly over time.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma

Overall, 63.9% of U.S. adults reported experiencing at least one ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience). (6)
In 2021, there were over 69,000 deaths related to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the United States, averaging about 190 TBI-related deaths each day. TBIs impact individuals of all ages, affecting their lives in significant ways. (7)

Physical Health Impacts

Studies show that people with depression have a 20-40% higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. (8)

Mental Health Among Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations often face greater challenges in accessing mental health care, leading to higher risks of untreated conditions. Addressing these disparities is crucial for ensuring equitable mental health support for everyone.

Homeless Individuals

Among individuals experiencing homelessness, 21 percent reported having a serious mental illness, and 16 percent reported having a substance use disorder. Homelessness is linked to a higher prevalence of mental and substance use disorders compared to those who are stably housed. (9)

Veterans

In 2020, around 5.2 million veterans experienced a behavioral health condition. (10)
More than 40% of veterans face challenges with mental health or substance abuse issues. (11)

Incarcerated Individuals

Each year, about 2 million people with mental health issues, including veterans, are jailed. (12)
Women in state (69%) and federal (52%) prisons have higher rates of mental health issues than men in similar settings. (13)
Around 4,000 people with serious mental illnesses are in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. (14)
Around 63% of people with mental health issues in state and federal prisons don’t get treatment. (15)

Economic Impact of Mental Health Disorders

Mental illness costs the U.S. economy $282 billion annually, comparable to the impact of an average economic recession. (16)
Depression and anxiety disorder cost $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, projected to hit $16 trillion by 2030. (17)

Suicide and Mental Health

In the past year, 1 in 20 adults aged 18 or older (5.2% or 13.2 million people) had serious thoughts of suicide. (18)
Additionally, 1.5% (or 3.8 million people) made a suicide plan, and 0.6% (or 1.6 million people) attempted suicide. (18)

Mental Health Care Availability in Rural America

Mental illness affects people in all communities, but those living in rural areas often face special challenges when it comes to managing their mental health.

In 2020, among U.S. adults in nonmetropolitan areas, 21% experienced mental illness, 6% had serious mental illness, 13% faced substance use disorders, and 5% considered suicide seriously. (19)
Over 25 million rural Americans reside in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. (19)
61% of rural adults feel COVID-19 significantly affected their mental health, with farmers reporting a higher impact at 37% compared to 22% of others. (20)

Insurance and Mental Health Care Access

Over 5.5 million adults with mental illness, which is 10.8%, are uninsured. (21)
State uninsured rates for adults with mental disorder problems range from 4.1% in Rhode Island to 24.7% in Wyoming. (21)

Facts About Mental Health

Each year, millions of Americans struggle with mental health issues, often in silence. Personal characteristics like emotional skills, substance use, and biological factors can make someone more prone to mental health problems.

Here are some facts about mental illness that you might not know.

More than 28 million people with mental illnesses are not receiving treatment. (13)

70 percent of youths have a diagnosable mental health condition. (22)
In 2021, boys and girls were equally likely to have received mental health treatment in the past 12 months, with 15.3% of boys and 14.5% of girls receiving treatment. (2)

Final Thought

The mental and physical health landscape in the United States reveals significant challenges, with millions of individuals affected by conditions such as major depression (aka clinical depression), bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders cover several types, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and different phobias like social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobias.

Despite the prevalence of these conditions, the utilization of mental health services remains suboptimal, highlighting a critical need for improved access to care. The data underscores the importance of mental health indicators in guiding policies and programs aimed at addressing these issues.

Organizations like the Mental Health Services Administration and the World Health Organization emphasize the importance of robust behavioral health statistics in forming effective interventions. As we continue to explore and address the complexities of a person’s mental health, a focus on comprehensive care and support for those affected by such disorders is essential to improving overall well-being and societal health.

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Veronica Ellis

Veronica Johnson is a passionate writer for Women On Guard, focusing on women's safety, rights, and gender discrimination. With a background in personal security, she crafts articles that empower women to take control of their safety. An active advocate for women's rights, Veronica participates in community events and supports various initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys martial arts, hiking, and family time.

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