
What percentage of the US population is treated for mental illness?
Mental Health Care Matters. 44.8% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2019. 65.5% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2019. 50.6% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016.
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 many people don’t get mental health treatment?
In 2019, 24.7% of adults with a mental illness report an unmet need for treatment. Over 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment. Even in states with the greatest access, nearly one in three are going without treatment.
What is the population of mental health services received in 2019?
Mental Health Services Received in Past Year Among U.S. Adults with Any Mental Illness (2019) Demographic Demographic Percent Overall Overall 44.8 Sex Female 49.7 Sex Male 36.8 Age 18-25 38.9 7 more rows ...

What percentage of people receive mental health treatment?
Summary. In 2020, 20.3% of U.S. adults received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 16.5% who had taken prescription medication for their mental health and 10.1% who had received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional.
What percentage of Americans have access to mental health?
Statistical DataRankStatePercentage15Delaware7.30%15Arizona7.115Minnesota7.316California7.40%70 more rows
What percentage of US adults use mental health services yearly?
Among the 13.1 million adults aged 18 or older in 2019 with past year SMI, 65.5 percent (or 8.6 million people) received mental health services in the past year, which was similar to the percentage in each year from 2008 through 2018.
What are the statistics of mental health?
21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020 (52.9 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults. 5.6% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2020 (14.2 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
How many Americans use mental health services?
Mental Health Services — AMI In 2020, among the 52.9 million adults with AMI, 24.3 million (46.2%) received mental health services in the past year. More females with AMI (51.2%) received mental health services than males with AMI (37.4%).
What is the success rate of therapy?
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. About 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it.
At what age does 50% of all lifetime mental ill health Begin and 75% by what age?
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
What race goes to therapy the most?
Outpatient mental health service use in the past year was highest for adults reporting two or more races (8.8 percent), white adults (7.8 percent), and American Indian or Alaska Native adults (7.7 percent), followed by black (4.7 percent), Hispanic (3.8 percent), and Asian (2.5 percent) adults.
How many people with SMI received mental health treatment in 2019?
In 2019, among the 13.1 million adults with SMI, 8.6 million (65.5%) received mental health treatment in the past year. More females with SMI (70.5%) received mental health treatment than males with SMI (56.5%).
What is mental health services?
The NSDUH defines mental health services as having received inpatient treatment/counseling or outpatient treatment/counseling or having used prescription medication for problems with emotions, nerves, or mental health.
What is a serious mental illness?
Serious mental illness (SMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
How many people have SMI in 2019?
In 2019, there were an estimated 13.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with SMI. This number represented 5.2% of all U.S. adults. The prevalence of SMI was higher among females (6.5%) than males (3.9%).
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 health issues in 2019?
3.8% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2019 (9.5 million people) Annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults, by demographic group: Non-Hispanic Asian: 14.4%.
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)
How many people with depression did not receive mental health treatment in 2017?
There is still unmet need for mental health treatment among youth and adults. 60% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2017-2018. Even in states with the greatest access, over 38% are not receiving the mental health services they need.
What are the most common mental health issues in 2020?
People screening at risk for mental health conditions are struggling most with loneliness or isolation. From April to September 2020, among people who screened with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, 70 percent reported that one of the top three things contributing to their mental health concerns was loneliness or isolation .
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 national data reflect the impact of legislation and policies; and.
How many people have taken a screening for MHA?
This year’s report includes a spotlight on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, using the over 1.5 million people who have taken a screen on MHA Screening from January to September 2020. From these screens we have found: The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed.
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.
How many youth have depression?
Youth mental health is worsening. 9.7% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression, compared to 9.2% in last year’s dataset. This rate was highest among youth who identify as more than one race, at 12.4%.
How many people took the anxiety screen in 2020?
From January to September 2020, 315,220 people took the anxiety screen, a 93 percent increase over the 2019 total number of anxiety screens. 534,784 people took the depression screen, a 62 percent increase over the 2019 total number of depression screens.
How many people with mental illness are not able to receive treatment?
Almost a quarter (22.3%) of all adults with a mental illness reported that they were not able to receive the treatment they needed. This number has not declined since 2011.
How many people with depression do not receive mental health care?
59% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment. Youth experiencing MDE continue to go untreated. Even among the states with greatest access for youth, almost 50% of youth are still not receiving the mental health services they need.
How many people will be uninsured in 2020?
Adults with AMI who are Uninsured 2020. 10.3% (over 4.7 million) of adults with a mental illness remain uninsured. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the U.S. continues to see a decline in Americans who are uninsured.
What percentage of people have cognitive disabilities?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 11.4% of people in the United States had a cognitive disability, even when adjusted for age. 1 The percentage of people with cognitive disability ranged from 7.8 percent in some states to 19.1 percent. A 2017 study.
Which states have not expanded Medicaid?
Thirty-nine states saw a reduction in Adults with AMI who are uninsured. The largest reductions were seen in Louisiana (5.3%), New York (4.7%), Iowa (4.6%) and Arkansas (4.2%). Each of the bottom 17 states, with the exception of Louisiana, are states that have not expanded Medicaid.
What is MHPAE law?
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity law (MHPAE) was enacted a decade ago and promised the equal coverage of mental health and substance use services. However, the rate of children with private insurance that does not cover mental or emotional problems continues to increase, and private insurance companies continue to place subtle restrictions on coverage for mental health treatments.
How many people in the US have received mental health treatment?
adults who received mental health treatment or counseling within the previous year from 2002 to 2019. In 2019, it was estimated that around 40.2 million adults in the U.S. received mental health treatment or counseling at some time in the previous year.
What is mental health services?
Mental Health Services is defined as having received inpatient treatment/counseling or outpatient treatment/counseling or having used prescription medication for problems with emotions, nerves, or mental health. Respondents were not to include treatment for drug or alcohol use.
How many people are suffering from mental health issues?
Almost 41% of Americans were struggling with mental health issues stemming from the pandemic, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, according to a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey conducted in June 2020.
Which country ranks first in mental health?
In August of last year, the Commonweath Fund looked at mental health concerns around the world and found the US ranked first among nine nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the UK.
How to boost mental health?
Exercise naturally creates endorphins, the body's feel-good hormones. Eating healthy, staying away from excess alcohol (a depressant) and getting plenty of sleep will also help your body -- and mind. 5 natural ways to boost your mental health during stressful times. Reach out and talk.
What is the number to call for help with mental health?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, has a national helpline -- 800-662-HELP (4357) -- which provides free, confidential treatment referral and information in English and Spanish 24/7, every day of the year.
What is the state of the nation mental health report?
The State of the Nation's Mental Health report is an analysis of health insurance claims from 27 million members enrolled in Anthem's individual, employer-sponsored, Medicare and Medicaid health plans in all 50 states. The report found diagnosis and treatment for mental health services was worse for young children under age 12 and adults over ...
What age group is most likely to report substance use?
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 were especially hard hit -- more likely to report substance use than all adults (25% vs. 13%) and suicidal thoughts (26% vs. 11%). "Prior to the pandemic, young adults were already at high risk of poor mental health and substance use disorder, though many did not receive treatment," the KFF report said.
Why don't people go to therapy?
Many people don't choose to go to therapy, said experts, because they believe that makes them "weak" or they feel it would be too invasive. But that's not what therapy is, Eve Byrd, director of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, told CNN in a prior interview. "Therapy is really an educational activity.".
How many black people get mental health treatment?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 30 percent of Black American adults with mental health conditions receive treatment each year, compared to the U.S. average of 43 percent. “African Americans have historically faced stigma related to mental health…. Events centered around racial injustices and even ...
Why is there a gap in mental health for black people?
Experts break down three main reasons there is such a gap in access to mental healthcare for Black Americans. 1. Socioeconomic disparities. Socioeconomic disparities stemming from historical adversity, including slavery, sharecropping, and segregation as well as race-based exclusion from health, educational, social, and economic resources, ...
What are the barriers to mental health?
Under the umbrella of socioeconomic disparities, Smithwick says barriers include provider bias, inequity in care, and discrimination in the healthcare system. “Conscious or unconscious bias ...
Why are black people more likely to seek help?
By increasing the cultural competency of healthcare professionals, Black Americans will be more likely to seek help. “Due to lack of empathy given to the multitude of traumas among African Americans, we often don’t seek professional help, since we don’t trust those in a position to help us,” Seele said.
What are the mental health problems that affect black people?
Serious mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, may also affect Black Americans more greatly. According to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black American adults are 10 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than white American adults.
What does Seele mean by "tailor treatment to black Americans"?
Tailor treatment to Black Americans. Seele points out the need to incorporate the cultural and spiritual experiences of African Americans into treatment plans. “African Americans want to be heard and accepted as respected individuals seeking treatment of a medical condition.

Key Findings
Women Were More Likely Than Men to Have Received Any Mental Health Treatment.
- 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).
- 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%...
Definitions
- 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 …
Data Source and Methods
- 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…
About The Authors
- Emily P. Terlizzi and Benjamin Zablotsky are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics.
References
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Healthexternal...
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM–IV: Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC. 1994.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Healthexternal...
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM–IV: Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC. 1994.
- Eaton NR, Keyes KM, Krueger RF, Balsis S, Skodol AE, Markon KE, et al. An invariant dimensional liability model of gender differences in mental disorder prevalence: Evidence from a national sample....
- MacKenzie CS, Gekoski WL, Knox VJ. Age, gender, and the underutilization of mental health services: The influence of help-seeking attitudes. Aging Ment Health 10(6):574–82. 2006.
Suggested Citation
- Terlizzi EP, Zablotsky B. Mental health treatment among adults: United States, 2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 380. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.