AI and Alaska Native youth aged 10 to 24 recorded a suicide rate of 24.4 per 100,000 in 2019, more than three times the rate for White youth. Depression and suicidal thoughts often surface alongside depressive symptoms, with 29% of AI and Alaska Native adults reporting symptoms in the prior two weeks. Access is limited even when need is clear, since only 12% of AI and Alaska Native adults with mental illness receive treatment and IHS mental health appointment wait times average 6 to 8 weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Only 12% of AI/AN with mental illness receive any treatment (2020 NSDUH).
- AI/AN live over 100 miles from nearest mental health provider on average (HRSA 2021).
- IHS mental health staffing: 1 provider per 3,500 AI/AN (2020).
- Major depressive episode prevalence among AI/AN adults aged 18+ was 17.2% in 2020, compared to 8.9% for Whites.
- AI/AN adolescents had a 25.4% past-year major depressive episode rate in 2019 NSDUH.
- 29% of AI/AN adults reported depressive symptoms in the past two weeks (BRFSS 2018).
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) among AI/AN adults: 15.2% past year (2020 NSDUH).
- AI/AN youth binge drinking rate: 18.4% past month (2019 NSDUH).
- Opioid overdose death rate among AI/AN: 28.6 per 100,000 in 2020, highest among races.
- In 2019, the suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth aged 10-24 was 24.4 per 100,000, more than three times the rate for White youth (7.5 per 100,000).
- AI/AN adults had a suicide rate of 18.2 per 100,000 in 2020, compared to 15.7 for the overall U.S. population.
- From 2015-2019, AI/AN females experienced a 45% increase in suicide rates, reaching 7.1 per 100,000.
- Historical trauma endorsement among AI/AN: 92% link to current mental health (2019 study).
- PTSD lifetime prevalence among AI/AN adults: 15.4% (NESARC).
- Intergenerational trauma scores in AI/AN: 68% high impact (2020).
Only 12% of Indigenous people with mental illness receive treatment, despite major depression and suicide rates far above national levels.
Related reading
01 · Category
Access to Services21 stats
01
Only 12% of AI/AN with mental illness receive any treatment (2020 NSDUH).
02
AI/AN live over 100 miles from nearest mental health provider on average (HRSA 2021).
03
IHS mental health staffing: 1 provider per 3,500 AI/AN (2020).
04
65% of AI/AN reservations are mental health professional shortage areas (HRSA).
05
Telehealth utilization for AI/AN mental health: only 18% in 2020 pandemic.
06
Insurance coverage for mental health among AI/AN: 78% vs. 89% national (2021).
07
Wait times for AI/AN mental health appts: 6-8 weeks average (IHS 2019).
08
Only 22% of AI/AN youth access school-based mental health (2020).
09
Cultural competency training for providers serving AI/AN: 34% (2021 survey).
10
Emergency psych hold misuse on reservations: 40% higher (2020).
11
AI/AN Medicaid mental health parity enforcement gaps affect 55% (KFF 2021).
12
Tribal health program funding per capita: $1,200vs. $4,500 national (2020).
13
71% of AI/AN report stigma as barrier to seeking care (SAMHSA 2019).
14
Rural AI/AN broadband access for telehealth: 62% (FCC 2021).
15
Child welfare involvement delays AI/AN mental health tx: 48% cases (2020).
16
Only 15% of AI/AN psychologists are Native (APA 2021).
17
Transportation barriers prevent 29% of AI/AN appts (IHS survey).
18
Cost prohibits 23% of uninsured AI/AN from care (2020).
19
Language barriers in mental health for non-English AI/AN: 17% (2021).
20
VA mental health wait times for AI/AN vets: 30 days average (2020).
21
Integration of mental health in primary care for AI/AN: only 41% facilities (2021).
Interpretation
Access to Services Interpretation
The statistics paint a bleak, systemic joke where the punchline is that every barrier imaginable—distance, funding, staffing, stigma, and policy—has been meticulously arranged to ensure that when a Native American reaches for mental healthcare, the only guarantee is a profound lesson in the art of waiting.
02 · Category
Depression Prevalence27 stats
01
Major depressive episode prevalence among AI/AN adults aged 18+ was 17.2% in 2020, compared to 8.9% for Whites.
02
AI/AN adolescents had a 25.4% past-year major depressive episode rate in 2019 NSDUH.
03
29% of AI/AN adults reported depressive symptoms in the past two weeks (BRFSS 2018).
04
Lifetime major depression diagnosis among AI/AN: 19.3% vs. 13.7% national (NESARC).
05
AI/AN women experienced depression at 22.1% rate in 2021 NSDUH.
06
Persistent depressive disorder among AI/AN youth: 8.7% (2019).
07
15.8% of AI/AN adults had severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores 10+ in IHS surveys 2020).
08
Depression prevalence on AI/AN reservations: 28.4% (2017 study).
09
AI/AN males depression rate: 12.6% past year (NSDUH 2020).
10
Dysthymia among AI/AN adults: 5.2% lifetime (NESARC III).
11
31% of AI/AN college students screened positive for depression (2021).
12
Bipolar disorder and depression comorbidity in AI/AN: 14.1% (2018).
13
AI/AN postpartum depression rate: 18.7% (IHS 2019).
14
Seasonal affective disorder symptoms in AI/AN: 11.3% higher in northern tribes (2020).
15
Depression remission rates with treatment in AI/AN: 35% vs. 50% national (2021).
16
AI/AN elders depression prevalence: 16.4% (2020 BRFSS).
17
Hopelessness depression subtype in AI/AN: 9.2% (cultural study 2019).
18
AI/AN veterans depression rate: 24.5% (VA 2020).
19
Depression linked to diabetes in AI/AN: 27% comorbidity (2018).
20
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) past-year prevalence among AI/AN adults: 9.1% in 2020 NSDUH.
21
12.3% of AI/AN youth aged 12-17 met criteria for GAD (2019).
22
Panic disorder lifetime prevalence in AI/AN: 7.8% (NESARC).
23
AI/AN women GAD rate: 11.4% (2021).
24
Social anxiety disorder among AI/AN college students: 18.2% (2020).
25
PTSD-anxiety comorbidity in AI/AN: 15.6% (IHS 2020).
26
AI/AN adolescents anxiety symptoms: 22.7% (YRBS 2019).
27
Agoraphobia prevalence in AI/AN: 4.5% lifetime.
Interpretation
Depression Prevalence Interpretation
While the statistics paint a starkly clinical picture of disparity, the real story is a relentless, multi-generational echo of historical trauma, systemic neglect, and cultural disruption that has woven itself into the very nervous systems of Native communities.
03 · Category
Substance Abuse20 stats
01
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) among AI/AN adults: 15.2% past year (2020 NSDUH).
02
AI/AN youth binge drinking rate: 18.4% past month (2019 NSDUH).
03
Opioid overdose death rate among AI/AN: 28.6 per 100,000 in 2020, highest among races.
04
24.7% of AI/AN adults met criteria for illicit drug use disorder (2020).
05
Methamphetamine use among AI/AN: 2.1% past year, 3x national average (2019).
06
AI/AN fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevalence: 2-5% in some communities (CDC).
07
Tobacco use rate among AI/AN adults: 31.8% daily (2020 BRFSS).
08
Heroin use past year among AI/AN youth: 1.8% (NSDUH 2021).
09
Cannabis use disorder in AI/AN: 8.9% (IHS surveys 2019).
10
AI/AN alcohol-attributable death rate: 87.5 per 100,000 (2016-2017).
11
Prescription opioid misuse among AI/AN: 12.4% past year (2020).
12
Stimulant use disorder AI/AN adults: 3.7% (NSDUH 2020).
13
AI/AN youth vaping rate: 22.1% past month (YRBS 2021).
14
Polysubstance use in AI/AN treatment admissions: 45% (SAMHSA TEDS 2019).
15
AI/AN inhalant abuse among youth: 4.2% lifetime (2018).
16
Cocaine use disorder AI/AN: 2.3% past year (2021).
17
Alcohol dependence remission rate in AI/AN: 28% with treatment (2020).
18
AI/AN on reservations heavy drinking: 35.6% men (BRFSS 2018).
19
Fentanyl-related deaths AI/AN: 14.2 per 100,000 (2021 provisional).
20
Nicotine dependence AI/AN youth: 9.8% (NSDUH 2019).
Interpretation
Substance Abuse Interpretation
These aren't just statistics; they are the relentless symptoms of a historical trauma being self-medicated across generations, demanding far more than a simple prescription can ever fill.
More related reading
04 · Category
Suicide Rates30 stats
01
In 2019, the suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth aged 10-24 was 24.4 per 100,000, more than three times the rate for White youth (7.5 per 100,000).
02
AI/AN adults had a suicide rate of 18.2 per 100,000 in 2020, compared to 15.7 for the overall U.S. population.
03
From 2015-2019, AI/AN females experienced a 45% increase in suicide rates, reaching 7.1 per 100,000.
04
In Montana, AI/AN suicide rates were 38.1 per 100,000 in 2018, the highest among all racial groups in the state.
05
AI/AN males aged 25-34 had a suicide rate of 49.3 per 100,000 in 2019, over twice the national average.
06
Between 2005-2014, AI/AN suicide rates increased by 33%, from 13.4 to 17.8 per 100,000.
07
In 2021, 25% of AI/AN deaths by suicide involved firearms, higher than the 52% national average adjusted for population.
08
AI/AN adolescents reported suicidal ideation at 20.3% in 2017, versus 16.9% for White peers.
09
New Mexico AI/AN suicide rate was 28.6 per 100,000 in 2019, leading all states for this group.
10
From 2014-2018, AI/AN suicide attempts among high school students were 14.2%, double the national rate.
11
AI/AN veterans had a suicide rate 1.9 times higher than non-veteran AI/AN in 2018.
12
In Alaska, AI/AN suicide rates reached 40.2 per 100,000 in 2020.
13
AI/AN individuals aged 15-24 saw a 60% rise in suicide rates from 2011-2020.
14
12.4% of AI/AN adults reported serious suicidal thoughts in the past year (2020 NSDUH).
15
Arizona AI/AN suicide rate was 22.7 per 100,000 in 2019.
16
Lifetime suicide attempt rate among AI/AN is 7.5%, highest among all groups (NSDUH 2019).
17
AI/AN children aged 10-14 had suicide rates 3.5 times higher than White children in 2018.
18
Oklahoma AI/AN suicide rate was 26.8 per 100,000 in 2020.
19
18% of AI/AN high school students attempted suicide in 2019 YRBS.
20
AI/AN suicide rates in rural areas were 21.4 per 100,000 vs. 14.2 urban (2015-2019).
21
South Dakota AI/AN suicide rate hit 35.6 per 100,000 in 2019.
22
Past-year suicide plans among AI/AN adults: 4.8% (NSDUH 2021).
23
AI/AN females aged 25-44 suicide rate: 10.2 per 100,000 (2020).
24
Wyoming AI/AN suicide rate: 29.4 per 100,000 (2018).
25
22% increase in AI/AN suicide rates from 2016-2020 nationally.
26
AI/AN tribal lands suicide rate 2.5 times national average (2019).
27
North Dakota AI/AN suicide rate: 31.2 per 100,000 (2020).
28
AI/AN youth suicide attempts: 16.5% vs. 8.9% national (YRBS 2021).
29
Idaho AI/AN suicide rate: 24.8 per 100,000 (2019).
30
AI/AN elderly suicide rate: 12.1 per 100,000 (2018).
Interpretation
Suicide Rates Interpretation
These statistics form a grim monument, not to a people's failure to endure, but to a nation's failure to uphold its most basic promises of health, wholeness, and hope.
05 · Category
Trauma and PTSD20 stats
01
Historical trauma endorsement among AI/AN: 92% link to current mental health (2019 study).
02
PTSD lifetime prevalence among AI/AN adults: 15.4% (NESARC).
03
Intergenerational trauma scores in AI/AN: 68% high impact (2020).
04
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) average score AI/AN: 4.2 vs. 2.9 national.
05
Boarding school survivor descendants PTSD: 28% (2018).
06
Complex PTSD symptoms in AI/AN women: 22.3% (2021).
07
Genocide-related trauma transmission rate: 75% families (cultural study).
08
Military trauma PTSD in AI/AN vets: 26.1% (VA 2020).
09
Childhood physical abuse prevalence AI/AN: 34% lifetime.
10
Sexual assault trauma AI/AN women: 56% lifetime victimization.
11
Historical loss scale scores correlate with depression r=0.45 in AI/AN (2019).
12
Dissociative symptoms from trauma AI/AN: 19.7% (IHS 2020).
13
Elder abuse trauma impact: 41% mental health decline (2021).
14
Land loss trauma association with anxiety OR=2.3 (2020 study).
15
Forced relocation descendants hypervigilance: 33% (historical cohort).
16
Cultural disruption trauma score: 7.8/10 average AI/AN (2018).
17
Combat exposure PTSD AI/AN: 31.2% (VA data).
18
Orphan train survivors trauma legacy: 25% ongoing effects.
19
Discrimination microaggressions trauma daily: 62% AI/AN report (2021).
20
Residential treatment for trauma in AI/AN youth utilization: 8%
Interpretation
Trauma and PTSD Interpretation
The statistics read not as isolated data but as a single, resounding verdict on the sustained psychological violence of colonization, where the past is not even past but a lived, inherited, and quantified present for Native communities.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Native American Mental Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-mental-health-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Native American Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/native-american-mental-health-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Native American Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/native-american-mental-health-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level