Key Highlights
- Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness annually
- Around 50% of all chronic mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24
- Nearly 10 million adults in the US experienced severe mental illness in 2020
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
- Adults with mental illness are more likely to experience other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes
- The global economic loss due to mental health conditions is estimated to be $16 trillion annually
- Stigma and discrimination prevent many people with mental health conditions from seeking treatment
- Only about 43% of adults with mental health conditions in the U.S. receive mental health services
- Depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders, affecting approximately 284 million people globally
- People with severe mental illness die on average 10 to 25 years earlier than the general population
- Only about 1 in 3 young people with mental health problems receive treatment
- Nearly 60% of youth with a major depressive episode do not receive mental health treatment
Mental health crises are more prevalent than ever, affecting millions worldwide and revealing urgent gaps in access, awareness, and early intervention that demand our immediate attention.
Barriers to Mental Health Care
- Stigma and discrimination prevent many people with mental health conditions from seeking treatment
- Only about 43% of adults with mental health conditions in the U.S. receive mental health services
- Only about 1 in 3 young people with mental health problems receive treatment
- Nearly 60% of youth with a major depressive episode do not receive mental health treatment
- Only 25% of those with a diagnosable mental disorder receive treatment in low-income countries
- Men are less likely to seek mental health treatment than women, with only 36% of men seeking help compared to 55% of women
- People living in rural areas are 20% less likely to receive mental health services than those in urban areas
- In the US, Black adults are less likely to receive mental health treatment than other racial groups, with only about 1 in 3 receiving care
- 75% of individuals with mental health issues say stigma prevents them from seeking help
Barriers to Mental Health Care Interpretation
Economic Impact of Mental Health
- The global economic loss due to mental health conditions is estimated to be $16 trillion annually
- The economic cost of mental health issues in the European Union is estimated at over €600 billion annually
- The United States spends approximately $225 billion annually on mental health care, representing about 5% of total health expenditure
Economic Impact of Mental Health Interpretation
Global and Societal Trends
- Digital mental health services have seen a growth of over 80% since 2020, reflecting increased reliance on teletherapy
Global and Societal Trends Interpretation
Mental Health Impact and Outcomes
- Adults with mental illness are more likely to experience other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes
- People with severe mental illness die on average 10 to 25 years earlier than the general population
- Mental health conditions cause approximately 15% of the global disease burden among adolescents
- Among college students, approximately 40% reported experiencing poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic period
- The rate of hospitalization for mental health issues increased by over 20% during the pandemic
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a doubling of depression and anxiety symptoms in many populations
Mental Health Impact and Outcomes Interpretation
Prevalence and Demographics
- Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness annually
- Around 50% of all chronic mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24
- Nearly 10 million adults in the US experienced severe mental illness in 2020
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
- Depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders, affecting approximately 284 million people globally
- In 2020, 11.1 million adults in the US experienced suicidal ideation
- The global prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is approximately 3.9% among adults
- Around 75% of mental health conditions begin before age 24, highlighting the importance of early intervention
- The prevalence of mental health disorders among health care workers is higher than the general population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Approximately 21% of pregnant women experience significant mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, during pregnancy
Prevalence and Demographics Interpretation
Sources & References
- Reference 1NIMHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2NAMIResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3SAMHSAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4CDCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5WHOResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6ECResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7CORONAVIRUS-COLLEGE-SURVEYResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8HOSPITALSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9MHEALTHINTELLIGENCEResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10MENTALHEALTHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 11RURALHEALTHINFOResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 12HEALTHAFFAIRSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source