Research shows that mental illnesses are common in the United States, affecting tens of millions of people each year. Estimates suggest that only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment.
What percentage of the US population is treated for mental illness?
Mental illnesses are common in the United States. One in six U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (43.4 million in 2015). ... The percentage of young adults aged 18-25 years with SMI who received mental health treatment (57.6%) was lower than adults with SMI aged 26-49 years (63.0%) and aged 50 and older (72.9%). ... People with mental ...
What percentage of youth are not getting the mental health services they need?
Estimates suggest that only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment. The information on these pages includes currently available statistics on the prevalence and treatment of mental illnesses among the U.S. population. In addition, information is provided about possible consequences of mental illnesses, such as suicide and disability.
How many people go untreated for mental illness?
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 …
How many people go to jail for mental illness each year?
An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. In particular, depressive illnesses tend to co-occur with substance abuse and anxiety disorders.
What percentage of people with mental health receive treatment?
What percentage of the US is diagnosed with a mental illness?
How many mentally ill people go without treatment?
What population is most affected by mental illness?
- Male: 37.4%
- Female: 51.2%
- Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 54.3%
- Non-Hispanic Asian: 20.8%
- Non-Hispanic white: 51.8%
- Non-Hispanic black or African-American: 37.1%
- Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 43.0%
- Hispanic or Latino: 35.1%
What country has the highest rate of mental illness?
What percentage of people have untreated mental illness?
What percentage of mental health issues go untreated?
How many people with schizophrenia go untreated?
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.
What is the difference between AMI and SMI?
Two broad categories can be used to describe these conditions: Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI). AMI encompasses all recognized mental illnesses. SMI is a smaller and more severe subset of AMI.
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%).
What is an AMI?
Any Mental Illness. Any mental illness (AMI) is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. AMI can vary in impact, ranging from no impairment to mild, moderate, and even severe impairment (e.g., individuals with serious mental illness as defined below).
Key findings
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.
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 ).
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 ).
The percentage who had received any mental health treatment was highest among non-Hispanic white adults
Non-Hispanic white adults were most likely to have received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months (23.0%) compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups ( Figure 3 ).
The percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment varied by urbanization level
The percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months increased as the place of residence became more rural, from 17.9% among those living in large metropolitan areas to 21.5% among those living in nonmetropolitan areas ( Figure 4 ).
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.
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.
What percentage of Americans have depression?
Approximately 9.5% of American adults ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year.#N#Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder.#N#While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.#N#With bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 2.6% of Americans age 18 and older in a given year -- the average age at onset for a first manic episode is during the early 20s. 1 Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. 2 While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s. 3 With bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 2.6% of Americans age 18 and older in a given year -- the average age at onset for a first manic episode is during the early 20s.
How many people are affected by schizophrenia?
Approximately 1% of Americans are affected by schizophrenia. In most cases, schizophrenia first appears in men during their late teens or early 20s. In women, schizophrenia often first appears during their 20s or early 30s.
Is bipolar disorder more common in women than men?
Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.
When does OCD start?
The first symptoms of OCD often begin during childhood or adolescence. GAD can begin at any time, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age. Individuals with OCD frequently can have problems with substance abuse or depressive or eating disorders.
When does schizophrenia start?
In most cases, schizophrenia first appears in men during their late teens or early 20s. In women, schizophrenia often first appears during their 20s or early 30s. Approximately about 18% of people ages 18- 54 in a given year, have an anxiety disorder in a given year.
How many people experience mental health problems each year?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated 1 in every 5 adults experiences mental health problems each year. Every person has some risk of developing a mental health disorder, regardless of their demographics.
What is the treatment for mental health?
Treatment plans are highly individualized for each person and can typically involve a combination of treatment types. Treatment types include psychotherapy (talking therapy), medication, and self-help.
What is mental health?
Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. Mental health is a vital aspect of overall health and wellness as it can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health. It is much more than just the absence of mental disorders or disability. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his ...
Why is mental health important?
Mental health is a vital aspect of overall health and wellness as it can affect daily living, relationships, and physical health. It is much more than just the absence of mental disorders or disability. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can be productive and cope with ...
What are the risk factors for mental health?
Some common risk factors, however, include social and economic pressures (socioeconomic conditions, occupation, education, etc.) and biological factors, such as a family history of mental disorders. 1,028,317. • Promoted Content.
What are some mental disorders?
Mood disorders are another common mental disorder. Mood disorders include major depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. It is common for those struggling with one mental disorder to have multiple. For example, a large proportion of people suffering from anxiety also suffer from depression.
What is the purpose of the Mental Health Report?
The report’s goal is to provide a snapshot of mental health status among your and adults, track changes in the prevalence of mental health issues, and access to mental health care, understand how changes in the data reflect the impact of policies and legislation, and to increase dialogue and improve outcomes for those with mental health issues.
How many people with mental illness are uninsured?
10.3% (over 4.7 million) of adults with a mental illness remain uninsured.#N#Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the U.S. continues to see a decline in Americans who are uninsured. There was a 1.9 percent reduction from last year’s dataset.
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.
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.
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.
What is emotional disturbance?
For purposes of an IEP, the term “Emotional Disturbance” is used to define youth with a mental illness that is affecting their ability to succeed in school. Early identification for IEPs is critical. IEPs provide the services, accommodations and support students with ED need to receive a quality education.
What is access ranking?
The Access Ranking indicates how much access to mental health care exists within a state. The access measures include access to insurance, access to treatment, quality and cost of insurance, access to special education, and workforce availability. A high Access Ranking indicates that a state provides relatively more access to insurance ...
How many people have mental health issues?
The state of mental health in the U.S. comprises 43.6 million adults (18 years and older) who suffer from conditions such as depression, borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Women tend to have a higher likelihood of developing mental disorders than men.
What percentage of people have mood disorders?
Mood disorders generally first appear in childhood or adolescence, and up to 45 percent of all mood disorders, or 4.3 percent of the U.S. adult population, are categorized as severe. The 12-month prevalence for developing mood disorders is 9.5 percent for all American adults.
What is the average age for anxiety?
Additionally, the average age when Americans first experience anxiety-related health problems is 11 years, whereas 22.8 percent of those diagnosed with anxiety health issues (4.1 percent of the U.S. adult population) are classified as severe. It also is worth noting that the 12-month prevalence of developing anxiety-related health problems is 18.1 ...
How many people are affected by depression?
However, depression is also a common and major mental health issue outside the U.S. affecting up to 350 million people worldwide.
Is there a shortage of mental health workers?
In spite of the glaring need for professionals in the mental health care niche, there is a shortage of qualified personnel globally. For example, although one in every 10 people worldwide suffers from some form of mental health issue, only 1 percent of health sector practitioners specialize in mental health.
How effective is cognitive behavioral therapy?
Medical researchers have found that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating 82 percent of people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Additionally, this therapy also has proved to be highly effective in treating panic disorders as well depression.
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%...
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.