Striking Amounts of Mental Health Facts and Figures Revealed: Here's WhatYou Need to Know
Mental health statistics can oftentimes take a backseat during personal struggles, with many finding statistics about mental health daunting, especially when it comes to interpreting statistics. Nevertheless, empirical data helps us gain a better understanding of the world and the people within it. Mental health, in particular, is a topic of great importance, with numerous people feeling isolated in their battles.
Examining the numbers associated with mental health treatment reveals some striking facts. For instance, mental health illnesses impact approximately 44.7 million Americans annually, but only approximately half of individuals receive treatment. This underscores the urgent need for increased education, awareness, and funding for mental health services.
Frequency and Prevalence of Mental Illness
Mental illness is more widespread than one might anticipate. In 2016, 44.7 million Americans experienced a mental illness, ranging from mild to severe. In a given year, 1 in 5 employed adults in the U.S. copes with a mental health issue, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Moreover, 1 in 4 people worldwide will confront a mental health issue in any given year.
Children and adolescents are also not immune: 1 in 5 youths (21.4%) between the ages of 13-18, and 13% of children aged 8-15, live with a severe mental health disorder. It is essential to remember that everyone is likely to encounter a mental health challenge at some point in their lives.
Interestingly, mental illness is more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes, or any kind of cancer. Approximately 1.1% of U.S. adults have schizophrenia, 2.6% live with bipolar disorder, 6.9% of people battle depression, and 18.1% of the population experiences anxiety disorders.
Common Mental Health Conditions: By the Numbers
There exists much misinformation regarding specific mental health conditions, such as believing that anxious people appear "nervous" all the time or that PTSD only affects individuals who have witnessed war or terrorism. A better understanding of mental health disorders' appearance and their prevalence is vital.
Depression
Depression remains one of the most common mental health disorders in America, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Depression affects 350 million people worldwide, with 16 million American adults reporting having at least one major depressive episode in 2015.
Anxiety
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older, or roughly 18.1% of the population. However, only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
Bipolar Disorder
Per the National Institute of Mental Health, 2.6% of the American adult population is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of suicide. In a Danish study spanning four decades, 8% of male bipolar patients and 5% of female patients died by suicide, compared to 0.7% and 0.3% in the general population.
Insomnia
Approximately 30% of American adults deal with insomnia. Sleep problems, including insomnia, are a common symptom of many mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
PTSD
According to the American Psychological Association, 70% of adults in the U.S. report having experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives, and 20% of those people go on to develop PTSD. PTSD affects 7.7 million adults, or 3.5% of the U.S. population.
Therapy-Based Statistics
Therapy can significantly improve the lives of people struggling with mental illness, regardless of its severity. Everyone can benefit from discussing their feelings with a mental health professional at some point. Research conclusively demonstrates that therapy works, and its benefits can endure for many years.
- A Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study published in The Lancet found that even a few sessions with a therapist can lower the risk of suicide among at-risk patients.
- A 2014 study published in JAMA Psychiatry discovered that people suffering from major depression are more likely to improve with a combination of therapy and medication as opposed to just medication.
- The percentage of medication-only visits for mental health problems has been on the rise over the past decade, according to the American Psychological Association.
- In a 2005 government survey, just 11 percent of psychiatrists provided talk therapy to all clients, a number that had been falling for years and has likely fallen since the survey.
- Research from 2010 supported by the American Psychological Association details how the benefits of therapy continue to grow even after treatment has ended.
Consequences of Neglecting Treatment
The lack of treatment for mental health disorders represents a significant crisis. If we address the mental health issues that affect millions of Americans, we would expect to witness a decrease in physical ailments, an increase in longevity, and a stronger economy. However, many remain unaware of the consequences of not treating mental illness.
- Untreated mental illness accounts for the majority of daily suicide deaths, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 113 Americans die by suicide daily, making it the 10th leading cause of death in every age group.
- Research highlights a strong stigma surrounding mental health disorders, a cultural mindset that often keeps people from seeking treatment.
- Stress and mental illness can cause severe health problems, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure.
- Mental illness is responsible for lost earnings of $193.2 billion per year in America.
- Untreated mental illness reduces adult lifespans in the U.S.; people dealing with mental illness live an average of 25 years shorter due to chronic medical conditions caused by mental illness.
Numbers like these are jarring, thought-provoking, and emphasize the urgency to prioritize mental health. Ignoring mental health is no longer an option, and for those grappling with mental illness, knowledge is empowering. Understanding that challenges are real, nothing to be ashamed of, and that effective treatments toward wellness are available is an essential first step towards healing. Those seeking more mental health and online therapy statistics are encouraged to visit our research page.
Articles on our website are crafted by experienced mental health and wellness contributors, grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Expert clinical analysis ensures that content is accurate and up-to-date with current industry standards. Our goal is to provide the most accurate, valuable, and unbiased information on mental health topics to aid readers in making informed decisions. Articles contain trusted third-party sources, either directly linked or listed at the bottom, for seamless navigation to the source.
- Mental health statistics often take a backseat during personal struggles, but understanding empirical data helps us gain a better comprehension of mental health issues that affect numerous people worldwide.
- A staggering 44.7 million Americans experienced a mental illness in 2016, with 1 in 5 employed adults coping with a mental health issue, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
- In the realm of online therapy, research indicates that therapy can significantly improve the lives of people dealing with mental health issues, with benefits enduring for many years.
- A Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study published in The Lancet found that even a few sessions with a therapist can lower the risk of suicide among at-risk patients.
- Mental illness is linked to several consequences, such as lost earnings of $193.2 billion per year in America and reduced adult lifespans in the U.S. by an average of 25 years due to chronic medical conditions caused by mental illness.
