
The percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment varied by age group. In 2019, 19.2% of adults had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including 15.8% who had taken medication for their mental health, and 9.5% who received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional (Figure 1).
What percentage of the US population is treated for mental illness?
In 2020, among the 14.2 million adults with SMI, 9.1 million (64.5%) received mental health treatment in the past year. More females with SMI (69.9%) received mental health treatment than males with SMI (54.9%).
How common is mental health treatment among older adults?
46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020. 64.5% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2020. 50.6% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016. The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
What is an estimate for mental health treatment?
Overall 44.8% of US adults aged 18 or older with Any Mental Illness received mental health services in the previous 12 months. Gender Highest incidence – females at 49.7% Lowest incidence – males at 36.8% Difference between high and low – 35.0 % Age Highest incidence – 50 + at 47.2% Lowest incidence – 18 to 25 at 38.9%
What percentage of adults take medication for their mental health?
Morbidity. Percent of adults aged 18 and over with regular feelings of worry, nervousness, or anxiety: 11.3%. Percent of adults aged 18 and over with regular feelings of depression: 4.5%. Source: Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From the 2020 National Health Interview Survey. pdf icon.

How many people with mental illness do not get treatment?
A study by the World Health Organization, or WHO, found that between 30 and 80 percent of people with mental health issues don't seek treatment.Jan 15, 2019
What are the statistics of mental illness in Australia?
One in five Australian adults experience a mental illness every year. About 45 per cent of Australian adults will be affected by mental illness at some time in their life. Anxiety, mood disorders (such as depression) and substance use disorders are the most common mental illnesses experienced by Australian adults.
Who suffers from mental health the most?
Prevalence of Any Mental Illness (AMI) The prevalence of AMI was higher among females (25.8%) than males (15.8%). Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (25.3%) and aged 50 and older (14.5%).
What percent of people are depressed?
Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5.0% of adults suffer from depression (1). Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. More women are affected by depression than men.Sep 13, 2021
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 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 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 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 have mental health problems?
1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness. Almost 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness. 50% of chronic mental illness start before 14 years of age. 75% of chronic mental illness start by age 24. Just over 10 million people over the age of 18 have more than 1 addiction or mental health disorder.
How many families have taken advantage of mental health care?
Only 14% of families have taken advantage of mental health care because of issues related to the pandemic. Between the military and their families, over 50% have looked for mental health care. In other surveys about mental health care, the Cohen Veterans Network found that:
What is the leading cause of death for people over the age of 24?
Clinical depression (or major depression) Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) Diagnosable mental health conditions like substance abuse disorder or depressive disorders are common among individuals who commit suicide. For individuals from 15 to 24 years of age, suicide ranks as a leading cause of death.
Why is mental health important?
Good mental health is the cornerstone to being a complete and healthy individual, and raising awareness is crucial in the reduction of the stigma associated with mental health issues and mental health care.
How many people believe mental health is equally important as physical health?
76% believe that their mental health is equally as important as their physical health. 52% of those in need of mental health care have tried to tough it out instead of seeking appropriate mental health care.
What are the different categories of mental health?
The main classifications are: AMI – Any Mental Illness.
When does depression start?
For those suffering with major depression, initial onset typically occurs in the mid 20s. Annually, 26% of adults in America are personally impacted by diagnosable mental disorder. Each year, anxiety disorders are found in roughly 18% of adults aged 18 to 54, and include: Phobias.
What are the statistics on mental health?
10 Key Mental Health Statistics Worldwide 1 In America, 1 out of 5 adults suffers from a mental illness, but around 60% of them don’t receive treatment. 2 It’s not uncommon for depression to occur with another illness or medical condition. 3 83% of bipolar disorder patients have a severe case. 4 Young people from the LGBTQ+ population are 2.5 times more likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety or have problems with substance abuse. 5 Mental illness statistics in the USA show that 56% of Americans don’t receive mental health treatment when they need it, often because they don’t have access to mental healthcare. 6 In 2018, police officers shot and killed 987 people in the US, around 245 of whom had serious mental health issues. 7 14.9% of children aged 4 and under whose parents had poor mental health develop a disorder themselves. 8 Women are more likely to experience depression during their lifetimes than men. 9 It’s possible for a patient to suffer from both depression and schizophrenia. 10 Mental health disorders are more prevalent than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
How many people don't get treatment for mental illness?
In America, 1 out of 5 adults suffers from a mental illness, but around 60% of them don’t receive treatment. It’s not uncommon for depression to occur with another illness or medical condition. 83% of bipolar disorder patients have a severe case.
How do mental disorders affect relationships?
Mental disorders are greatly impacted by how firm and healthy our personal relationships are. For example, the rates of mental disorders are higher in children (especially teenagers) whose families are dysfunctional as a result of violence, low income, or a host of other issues.
How many people have mental illness?
Unfortunately, the reality is that millions of people suffer from some mental disorder (according to estimates, 44 million Americans).
How many war veterans have mental health issues?
According to data on war veterans’ mental health, statistics show that up to a third of soldiers who’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan are affected by mental health problems—which can often lead to drug or alcohol abuse. Experts claim that the rationale behind these problems might be that they have difficulties adjusting to their normal lives upon returning from war zones.
How many people in the US don't have mental health?
Mental illness statistics in the USA show that 56% of Americans don’t receive mental health treatment when they need it, often because they don’t have access to mental healthcare. In 2018, police officers shot and killed 987 people in the US, around 245 of whom had serious mental health issues.
How many people in Australia have schizophrenia?
The data suggests that this chronic condition is quite widespread in Australia (with around 150,000–200,000 patients suffering from it).
What is clinical mental health?
Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Mental health problems exist across racial, ethnic and cultural lines, impacting individuals from all walks of life. However, these issues don’t necessarily impact communities proportionally. Black Americans, in particular, may face mental health obstacles at a higher rate than other groups, something that U.S.
What is the most common mental health problem in black people?
Depression in the Black Community. One of the most common Black mental health concerns is depression . While this condition can impact anyone, some unique factors can shape the impact of depression on the Black community.
Why is depression misdiagnosed in the black community?
Sadly, depression is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in the Black community, due to both the stigma surrounding mental illness and the distrust of mental health treatment systems.
Why are black women at high risk for depression?
As an article at Psych Central puts it, Black women have a high risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) due to such factors as racial and gender discrimination, poverty and single parenting.
Is depression a mental illness?
Depression is a mental health condition that’s both common and serious. The condition can negatively impact how an individual thinks and behaves. While people experience depression in different ways and to different degrees, the condition is typically characterized by feelings of prolonged sadness or loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure and meaning.
Can low income families afford counseling?
In lower-income Black communities, families may not be able to afford counseling or have health insurance access that they could use for treatment and pharmaceutical intervention. Additionally, low-income schools may not have the kind of counseling programs that children need to improve their mental well-being.
Do black people have mental health issues?
Black Americans, in particular, may face mental health obstacles at a higher rate than other groups, something that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data makes clear. As a WebMD article puts it, Black people are also less likely than white people to seek and receive the treatment they need.
What is mental health disparity?
Mental health care disparities , defined as unfair differences in access to or quality of care according to race and ethnicity, are quite common in mental health.1Although some studies question this consensus, 2, 3the weight of the evidence supports the existence of serious and persistent mental health care disparities.
What would happen if mental health coverage was universal?
Specifically, policies that would result in universal coverage for mental health care would significantly improve access for ethnic minorities. Similarly, improving the quality of mental health care treatments would likely improve, but not eliminate, mental health care disparities.
What is IOM in healthcare?
The IOM definition is distinct from that applied by the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) in its annual National Healthcare Disparities Reports, where anydifference between populations is a disparity, with no adjustment for underlying need for care.
How does the report recommend that health care systems take steps to improve access to care?
Specifically, the report recommends that health care systems should take steps to improve access to care, ensuring that they do not disproportionately burden or restrict minority patients’ access, as well taking further steps to improve access when necessary, such as providing interpreter services.
Is provider A or B better for all patients?
Provider A may be low quality for all patients and Provider B high quality for all patients, and if minorities are more likely to be seen by Provider A, these across-provider differences will account for some of disparities. Geographic-level factors can work similarly.
Does exceptionalism reduce mental health disparities?
In the case of mental health care disparities, appeal to exceptionalism does not seem necessary to reduce mental health care disparities. The major recommendations for eliminating health care disparities from the IOM Unequal Treatmentreport appear applicable to mental health care.

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 profess…
- 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%...
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. While the percentage of adults who had taken medication for their mental health increased with age, the percentage who had re…
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.