Treatment FAQ

how many americans sought mental health treatment in the us in 2015

by Ms. Susan Smitham IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Full Answer

Which Americans receive the most mental health treatment?

Women were more likely than men to have received any mental health treatment. Non-Hispanic white adults (23.0%) were more likely than non-Hispanic black (13.6%) and Hispanic (12.9%) adults to have received any mental health treatment.

What are the statistics of mental health?

Mental Health By the Numbers 1 You Are Not Alone. This represents 1 in 5 adults. ... 2 Mental Health Care Matters. Female: 48.6% Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 48.5% Non-Hispanic Asian: 24.9% Non-Hispanic white: 49.1% Non-Hispanic black or African-American: 30.6% 3 The Ripple Effect of Mental Illness. ...

How common is mental health treatment among older adults?

The percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months was lower among those aged 18–44 (18.5%) compared with adults aged 45–64 (20.2%) and 65 and over (19.4%).

How has healthcare reform affected mental health in America?

Access to insurance and treatment increased, as healthcare reform has reduced the rates of uninsured adults. The greatest decrease in uninsured Adults with mental illnesses was seen in states that expanded Medicaid. ...But most Americans still lack access to care. 56% of American adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.

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What percentage of Americans seek mental health treatment?

Summary. In 2019, 19.2% of U.S. adults received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 9.5% who had received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional.

How many Americans are treated for mental health?

Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020).

What psychological disorder was reported by the most people in the United States 2015?

In 2015, approximately 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, had a depressive episode in the past year. Nearly twice as many women (8.5 percent) as men (4.7 percent) are affected by a depressive disorder each year.

What percentage of the US has mental health issues 2020?

Prevalence of Mental Illness 2020 19.00% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to over 47 million Americans. 4.55% are experiencing a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.14% in New Jersey to 25.25% in Utah.

How much of the population needs therapy?

Prior to the pandemic, in 2018-2019, 5.7% (1.7 million) of adults in California reported an unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year, which was similar to the U.S. share of 6.2% (15.4 million).

How many adults in the US experience a serious mental illness in a given year?

Consequences Impact Fact: 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a given year. 1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness. Nearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness.

What percentage of the population has mental health issues?

An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

What is the number one mental health problem in the United States?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 7% of children aged 3-17 experience issues with anxiety each year. Most people develop symptoms before age 21.

What is the number 1 mental illness?

Depression. Impacting an estimated 300 million people, depression is the most-common mental disorder and generally affects women more often than men.

How much has mental illness increased since Covid?

Wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO) today.

What percentage of the US has mental health issues 2021?

19.00% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to over 47 million Americans. 4.55% are experiencing a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.14% in New Jersey to 25.25% in Utah.

How did COVID-19 affect mental health in the US?

Despite the differences in trends, the basic determinants of mental health were similar in three data sets in the same two years. Our findings raise questions about the robustness of the many studies claiming unprecedented increases in depression and anxiety among the young compared to older cohorts.

How much has mental illness increased since Covid?

Wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO) today.

What country has highest rate of mental illness?

World Health Organization global study The United States, Colombia, the Netherlands and Ukraine tended to have higher prevalence estimates across most classes of disorder, while Nigeria, Shanghai and Italy were consistently low, and prevalence was lower in Asian countries in general.

Where does the US rank in mental health care in the world?

While many countries still struggle with opening the discussion around mental health care, the United States was ranked third for burden of mental and behavioral disorders, adjusting for population size, by the World Health Organization.

What country has the best mental health system?

Sweden tops our positive mental health index, and with good reason. The Nordic nation ranked high for the percentage of green space, as it plays host to lush coniferous forests that take up the majority of its land providing the perfect environment for relaxation and mental wellbeing.

What is the most common type of mental health treatment?

The most common type of mental health treatmentamong U.S. adults is prescription medication, followed by outpatient and inpatient care.

What are the most common forms of mental illness?

The most common forms of mental illness are depression and anxiety.

How many people with mental illness do not receive mental health treatment?

About 3 in 5 people ( 63%) with a history of mental illness do not receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prisons. Less than half of people ( 45%) with a history of mental illness receive mental health treatment while held in local jails.

How many people have mental illness in 2019?

5.2 % of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2019 (13.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.

How much money does mental illness cost the economy?

Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year. 20.5% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition. 37% of adults incarcerated in the state and federal prison system have a diagnosed mental illness.

How many people in prison have mental illness?

About 2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness ( 37% in state and federal prisons and 44% held in local jails). 66% of women in prison reported having a history of mental illness, almost twice the percentage of men in prison.

How many emergency department visits are there for mental health?

Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every 8 emergency department visits by a U.S. adult (estimated 12 million visits) Mood disorders are the most common cause of hospitalization for all people in the U.S. under age 45 ( after excluding hospitalization relating to pregnancy and birth)

What is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S.?

Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S.

How many people have received mental health treatment in 2019?

In 2019, 19.2% of adults had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 9.5% who received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional.

Which group of people was more likely to receive mental health treatment than men?

Women were more likely than men to have received any mental health treatment.

What is NHIS survey?

Data from the 2019 NHIS were used for this analysis. NHIS is a nationally representative household survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is conducted continuously throughout the year by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete interviews may be conducted over the telephone. For more information about NHIS, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Which group of people took more medication for mental health?

Non-Hispanic white adults (19.1%) were more likely than non-Hispanic black (11.1%) and Hispanic (10.3%) adults to have taken medication for their mental health.

Do women have mental health issues?

Women were more likely than men to have received any treatment for their mental health, consistent with the higher prevalence of common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, seen among women ( 3) as well as an increased willingness to seek mental health care ( 4 ). Receipt of any mental health treatment was higher among non-Hispanic white adults compared with non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults. While the percentage of adults who had received counseling or therapy decreased as level of urbanization decreased, the percentage who had taken medication for their mental health increased with decreasing urbanization level.

How many people needed substance abuse treatment in 2015?

The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data indicate that 8.1 percent or 21.7 million people aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment in the past year. In 2015, an estimated 2.3 million people aged 12 or older who needed substance use treatment received treatment at a specialty facility in the past year.

What percentage of adults needed treatment for substance use issues in 2015?

In 2015, about 96.0 percent of the adults who needed treatment for a substance use issue were defined as such because they had an SUD in the past year, regardless of whether they received substance use treatment at a specialty facility.

What is NSDUH in mental health?

NSDUH includes a series of questions about past year SUDs among respondents who used alcohol or illicit drugs in the past 12 months. These questions are used to classify people as having an SUD in the past 12 months based on criteria specified in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The criteria include symptoms such as withdrawal, tolerance, use in dangerous situations, trouble with the law, and interference with major obligations at work, school, or home during the past 12 months.

How does NSDUH classify people as needing substance use treatment?

NSDUH classifies people as needing substance use treatment if they met the criteria for having SUD 10 in the past year (based on symptoms they report) or if they received substance use treatment at a specialty facility in the past year. 11 In 2015, an estimated 21.7 million people aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment in the past year (Figure 1). Stated another way, about 8.1 percent of the population aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment in the past year. SUD is defined as meeting criteria for illicit drug or alcohol dependence or abuse based on definitions found in the 4 th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). 10

How is the extent of the unmet substance use need measured?

The extent of the unmet substance use treatment need in the United States is measured by calculating the number of people aged 12 or older who were classified as needing substance use treatment but who did not receive substance use treatment at a specialty facility in the past year. This section focuses on the receipt (or lack of receipt) ...

How many adolescents do not receive substance abuse treatment?

Of the estimated 1.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 who needed but did not receive substance use treatment at a specialty facility in the past year, 17,000 (1.4 percent) perceived a need for substance use treatment.

What is a substance use disorder?

Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent clinically significant impairment caused by the recurrent use of alcohol or illicit drugs (or both), including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. 1 The consequences of SUD can be costly to people and the nation as a whole because they are often associated with negative outcomes, such as involvement with the justice system, 2,3 occurrence of chronic health conditions, 4 and poorer health outcomes. 5

How long does it take to see a psychiatrist in Louisiana?

For example, in Louisiana, waiting time to see a psychiatrist averages as long as six months.

How many divisions does the APA have?

Through its 53 divisions and its affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare.

What percentage of Americans with mental illness do not receive treatment?

The greatest decrease in uninsured Adults with mental illnesses was seen in states that expanded Medicaid. ...But most Americans still lack access to care. 56% of American adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment. Even in Maine, the state with the best access, 41.4% of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.

What is the purpose of mental health snapshot?

To provide a snapshot of mental health status among youth and adults for policy and program planning, analysis, and evaluation; To track changes in prevalence of mental health issues and access to mental health care; To understand how changes in natinoal data reflect the impact of legisla tion and policies; and.

Why use national survey data?

Using national survey data allows us to measure a community’s mental health needs, access to care, and outcomes regardless of the differences between the states and their varied mental health policies. Rankings explore which states are more effective at addressing issues related to mental health and substance use.

Is there a shortage of mental health workers?

There is a serious mental health workforce shortage. In states with the lowest workforce, there is up 6 times the individuals to only 1 mental health professional. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses combined.

How many people have received mental health treatment in 2019?

In 2019, 19.2% of adults had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 9.5% who received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional.

What is NHIS survey?

Data from the 2019 NHIS were used for this analysis. NHIS is a nationally representative household survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is conducted continuously throughout the year by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete interviews may be conducted over the telephone. For more information about NHIS, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

What percentage of adults have received mental health treatment in the past 12 months?

The survey found that the percentage of adults who had received any mental treatment in the past 12 months “significantly increased from 19.2% in 2019 to 20.3% in 2020,” Emily Terlizzi, MPH, a researcher with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), tells Verywell via email. The results were published in October. 1

How did Terlizzi and colleagues find that people living in urbanized areas were more likely to receive mental health treatment?

Finally, Terlizzi and colleagues found that people living in urbanized areas were more likely to receive mental health treatment through counseling or therapy. The less urbanized the area, the more likely the people there were to obtain mental health care through medication.

How can telehealth help with mental health?

Expanded mental health care through telehealth could help people access providers who specialize in what they’re looking for and need. For example, individuals with racial, ethnic, sexual, or gender identities who have historically been marginalized, Morales says, “may find it easier to get culturally competent care with greater access to telemental health services.”

Why do people depend more on their primary care providers?

For example, people in less urbanized environments, she says, may depend more on their primary care providers (PCP), who more commonly prescribe medications themselves because they have a more limited pool in which to make referrals.

How to contact SAMHSA?

If you need help accessing or finding mental health treatment, you can call the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-S AMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) . They can help you locate treatment services in your area. You can speak to someone on the phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Which is more likely to have mental health problems: whites or blacks?

A 2018 study concluded that “racial/ethnic minorities in the United States are more likely than Whites to have severe and persistent mental disorders and less likely to access mental health care.” 5

Do women have more mental health than men?

Women were also more likely than men to have received any mental health care. Terlizzi and colleagues say this was consistent with existing research. Past studies have found that anxiety and depression are both more prevalent among women 6 and that women appear more willing to seek out mental health care. 7

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Key Findings

Number of people in millions200220072012201720304050
Characteristic

Women Were More Likely Than Men to Have Received Any Mental Health Treatment.

CHARACTERISTICNUMBER OF PEOPLE IN MILLIONS
200227.2
200327.9
200427.5
200528.2
200628.4
200729.6
200830.2
200930.3
See all 18 rows on www.statista.com

Summary

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Data from the National Health Interview Survey 1. In 2019, 19.2% of adults had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 9.5% who received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional. 2. Women were more lik…
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Definitions

  1. Nearly one in four women received any mental health treatment (24.7%) in the past 12 months, compared with 13.4% of men (Figure 2).
  2. Women were more likely than men to have taken medication for their mental health (20.6% and 10.7%, respectively) and to have received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional (11.7%...
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Data Source and Methods

  • In 2019, 19.2% of U.S. adults received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 9.5% who had received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional. While the percentage of adults who had taken medication for their mental health increased with age, the percentage who had re…
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About The Authors

  • Any mental health treatment: A composite measure of adults who reported having taken medication for their mental health, received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional, or both in the past 12 months. Race and Hispanic origin: Adults categorized as Hispanic may be of any race or combination of races. Adults categorized as non-Hispanic white …
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References

  • Data from the 2019 NHIS were used for this analysis. NHIS is a nationally representative household survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is conducted continuously throughout the year by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete interviews may be conducted over the teleph…
See more on cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

  • Emily P. Terlizzi and Benjamin Zablotsky are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics.
See more on cdc.gov

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