What percentage of adults get mental health treatment?
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. Women were more likely than men to have received any mental health treatment.
Which groups are most likely to receive mental health treatment?
Women are more likely than men to receive treatment for all mental health conditions, with 15% of women receiving treatment compared to 9% of men. 5 Young people aged 16-24 were found to be less likely to receive mental health treatment than any other age group. 6
Are women more likely to have received any mental health treatment?
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 ).
Which age groups are least likely to receive mental health treatment?
Young people aged 16-24 were found to be less likely to receive mental health treatment than any other age group. 6 White British people are more likely to receive mental health treatment (13.3%) compared to BAME groups (7%). The lowest percentage of people receiving treatment were those from black ethnic minority groups (6.2%). 7
Who is the most likely to seek treatment?
Women are more likely than men to receive treatment for all mental health conditions, with 15% of women receiving treatment compared to 9% of men. Young people aged 16-24 were found to be less likely to receive mental health treatment than any other age group.
Who is more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder?
Women are up to 40% more likely than men to develop mental health conditions, according to new analysis by a clinical psychologist at Oxford University.
Who wanted better treatment for the mentally ill?
One woman set out to change such perceptions: Dorothea Lynde Dix. Share on Pinterest Dorothea Dix was instrumental in changing perceptions of mental illness for the better. Born in Maine in 1802, Dix was instrumental in the establishment of humane mental healthcare services in the United States.
Who suffers from mental health disorders?
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.
Who is affected by mental health?
Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of your age, gender, geography, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background or other aspect of cultural identity.
Who cared for the mentally ill in the 19th century?
Luxurious accommodations were the staples of America's Gilded Age asylums, which offered state-of-the-science treatment — for the rich only. Until the 19th century, people with mental illness were cared for by family members, who quietly attended to their needs in rural areas.
Who uses psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can be helpful in treating most mental health problems, including: Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Who was responsible for much of the reform of the mental health care system in the 19th century?
Dorothea Dix. Dorothea Dix was a vigorous crusader for the humane treatment of clients with mental illness and was responsible for much of the reform of the mental health care system in the 19th century. Her solution was the creation of state hospitals.
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 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 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.
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 the treatment of mental illness?
Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of mental illness provided by a trained mental health professional. Psychotherapy explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and seeks to improve an individual’s well-being.
How do people with mental illness recover?
Many people diagnosed with mental illness achieve strength and recovery through participating in individual or group treatment. There are many different treatment options available. There is no treatment that works for everyone – individuals can chose the treatment, or combination of treatments, that works best.
Why is hospitalization necessary?
In a minority of cases, hospitalization may be necessary so that an individual can be closely monitored, accurately diagnosed or have medications adjusted when his or her mental illness temporarily worsens. Learn more about Hospitalization.
Functioning
Daily life: It is important to take a close look at your day-to-day life to see how you are doing.
Symptoms
Behavioral and emotional problems are associated with a wide range of physical sensations, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. These are called symptoms by mental health professionals. To get an idea of which symptoms you may be experiencing, ask yourself these questions:
Making a Decision
Take a moment and reflect on your responses to the questions listed above. Moderate to high levels of distress, low levels of functioning, and moderate to severe symptoms are all signs that you may want to speak with a mental health professional.
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 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 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.
What percentage of people with mental health issues don't seek 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. This includes 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder, 55 percent of people with panic disorder, 56 percent of people with major depression, and a stunning 78 percent of people with alcohol use disorder.
Why don't people seek help for mental illness?
Why Don’t People Seek Help for Mental Illness? January 15, 2019. Awareness of mental illness and the need for treatment has been growing in recent years. This is in large part due to campaigns designed to raise awareness of depression, addiction, bipolar disorder, and suicide, as well as more celebrities being open about their own mental health ...
What is the name of the first 12-step treatment center?
Established in 1939, High Watch is the world’s first 12-Step treatment center.
What is the third way people can be unaware they need help?
The third way people can be unaware they need help is a condition called anosognosia. This typically occurs in about half of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They are essentially so impaired by their illness that they are unaware there’s anything wrong.
Is it hard to admit mental illness?
Most people struggling with mental illness are in a less secure position. Already unsure about themselves and their position in life, it’s hard to risk precious social and professional capital to seek help. Admitting your problem to your doctor, spouse, or even yourself can be difficult.
Can you compare your mental state to someone else's?
You only really know what it’s like to be you. There’s really no way to compare your mental state to someone else’s. If you’ve had a certain disorder since you can remember, it might not occur to you to seek help.
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.