70+ Mental Health Statistics in 2021

According to the WHO, approximately one in four people worldwide will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. That’s why Shortlister collected over 50 mental health statistics in one place:

General Mental Health Statistics

In the United States in 2019, an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older were diagnosed with mental illness. This number constitutes 20.6% of all U.S. adults. (Samhsa, 2019)
Mental illness is higher among women (24.5%) than men (16.3%). (Samhsa, 2019)
The presence of mental illness was highest among the adults reporting two or more races (31.7%), followed by white adults (22.2%). The prevalence of mental illness was lowest among Asian adults (14.4%). (Samhsa, 2019)
In 2019, from 51.5 million adults with mental illness, 23.0 million (44.8%) received mental health services in the past year. (Samhsa, 2019)

In the United States in 2019, an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older were diagnosed with mental illness. This number constitutes 20.6% of all U.S. adults. (Samhsa, 2019)
Mental illness is higher among women (24.5%) than men (16.3%). (Samhsa, 2019)
The presence of mental illness was highest among the adults reporting two or more races (31.7%), followed by white adults (22.2%). The prevalence of mental illness was lowest among Asian adults (14.4%). (Samhsa, 2019)
In 2019, from 51.5 million adults with mental illness, 23.0 million (44.8%) received mental health services in the past year. (Samhsa, 2019)
More females with a mental disorder (49.7%) received mental health services than males with AMI (36.8%). (Samhsa, 2019)
In 2019, there were 13.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with a severe mental illness. This number constitutes 5.2% of all U.S. adults. (Samhsa, 2019)

The presence of severe mental illness was highest among the adults reporting two or more races (9.3%). The prevalence of severe mental illness was lowest among NH/OPI adults. (2.6%). (Samhsa, 2019)
In 2019, from 13.1 million adults with serious mental illness, only 8.6 million (65.5%) received treatment in the past year. (Samhsa, 2019)
3.8% of U.S. adults had a re-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2019 (9.5 million people). (Samhsa, 2019)
The delay between onset of mental illness and treatment is 11 years. (Ncbi 2004)
10.9% of U.S. adults that were diagnosed with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2019. (Samhsa, 2019)
11.9% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2019. (Samhsa, 2019)
55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist. (Thenationalcouncil 2017)
People diagnosed with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. Patients with serious mental illness are two times more prone to develop these conditions. (Thelancet 2019)
18.4% of U.S. adults with a mental disorder also had a substance use disorder in 2019 (9.5 million individuals). (Samhsa, 2019)
Unemployment is higher in U.S. adults who have a mental disease (5.8%) than those who do not (3.6%). (Samhsa, 2019.
In the U.S.8.4, million people take care of a person with a mental or emotional health issue. (Caregiving, 2016)

Caregivers of adults with mental health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care. (Caregiving, 2016)
Severe mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year in the U.S. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2010)
20.5% of the people who are homeless in the U.S. have a severe mental health condition. (HUD, 2019)
37% of adults that are incarcerated in prison have a diagnosed mental illness. (Bjs, 2017)
41% of Veteran’s Health Administration patients have a diagnosed mental disorder or substance use disorder. (Mentalhealth, 2001-2014)
Each year, depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity. (Mentalhealth, 2001-2014)
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. (Thelancet, 2016)
Suicide is the 2nd most common reason for death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S. (Nimh,2018)

Suicide is the 10th leading reason of death in the U.S. (Nimh,2018)
The suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999. (Nimh,2018)
46% of people who commit suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition. (Cdc,2016)
90% of people who commit suicide had shown symptoms of a mental health disorder, according to interviews with friends, family, and medical professionals (also known as a psychological autopsy). (Pubmed,2016)
Approximately 78% of people who die by suicide are male. (Webappa, 1981-2019)
Transgender adults are 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. (Transequality, 2016)
Lifetime presence of any anxiety disorder: 31.6%. (Ncbi, 2012)
The number of U.S. adults with anxiety disorders: 42.5 million. (Ncbi, 2012)
Past year prevalence of bipolar disorder: 1.8%. (Ncbi, 2012)
The number of U.S. adults with bipolar disorder: 3.3 million. (Ncbi, 2012)
2.5% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. (Ncbi, 2012)
The percent of adults with major depression in the U.S. is 7.1%. This counts 17.3 million people. (Mhanationa, 2021)
Severe depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. (Mhanationa, 2021)

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Adolescent Mental Health Statistics

Adolescents aged 18-25 years had the highest presence of severe mental illness (8.6%) compared to adults age 26-49 years (6.8%) and aged 50 and older (2.9%). (Samhsa, 2019)
The percentage of adolescents aged 18-25 years with serious mental illness who received mental health treatment (56.4%) was lower than adults aged 26-49 years (65.1%) and aged 50 and older (74.3%). (Samhsa, 2019)
From adolescents with any mental disorder, 22.2% had severe impairment. DSM-IV-based criteria were used to detect impairment levels. (Samhsa, 2019)
Adolescents in detention are ten times more likely to suffer from psychosis than adolescents in the community. (Antoniocasella, 2017)
The percent of adolescents with severe depression is 9%. This counts 2 million people. (Mhanationa, 2021)
22.2% of adolescents with any mental disorder had severe impairment. DSM-IV criteria were used to determine impairment level. (Mental Health Information, 2019)

Adolescents reporting symptoms of major depression increased by 52% from 2005 to 2017. From 2009 to 2017, it grew by 63% in adults ages 18 to 25. (Sciencedaily, 2019)
Between 2012 and 2015, depression in boys increased 21% and in girls 50%. (Child Mind Institute, 2015)
By 2015, 92% of teens and adolescents owned a smartphone. But, as the use of smartphones increased, so did feelings of depression. (Child Mind Institute, 2015)
7.4% of children aged 3-17 (approximately 4.5 million) have a diagnosed behavior problem. (The Journal of pediatrics, 2019)
7.1% of children aged 3-17 (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety. (The Journal of pediatrics, 2019)
3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have been diagnosed with depression. (The Journal of pediatrics, 2019)

College Student Mental Health Statistics

High school students with severe depression are twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers. (Pubmed, 2018)
The number of college students aged 18-25 years with mental illness who received mental health services (38.9%) was lower than adults aged 26-49 years (45.4%). (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019)
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual young people are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight young people. (Cdc, 2019)
63% of students say that their emotional health got worse when the COVID-19 pandemic started. (Jedfoundation, 2020)
56% of students are very concerned with their ability to care for their mental health. (Activeminds, 2020)
Many students are dealing with anxiety (82%), followed by social isolation/loneliness (68%), depression (63%), trouble concentrating (62%), and difficulty coping with stress in a healthy way (60%). (Healthymindsnetwork, 2020)
One in five (19%) students had suicidal thoughts in the past month. (Healthymindsnetwork, 2020)

Social Media and Mental Health Statistics

Since the release of smartphones, mental health concerns have increased in children and young adults. The rate of adolescents reporting symptoms of major depression in a given year increased by 52% from 2005 to 2017. From 2009 to 2017, it grew by 63% in adults ages 18 to 25. (Sciencedaily, 2019)
More than one in three adults (38%) see social media use as harmful. Only 5% think that it’s only positive (American Psychiatric Association, 2019)

More than 3 hours on social media per day puts adolescents at a higher risk for mental health problems. (Etactics, 2020)
13% of kids ages 12-17 report depression, and 32% report anxiety. (National center for (OASH, 2019)
25% of 18 to 25-year-olds report mental illness. These age groups say high usage of social media. (OASH, 2019)

Around 86% of 18- to 29-year-olds use social media. Another 80% of people aged 30-49 and 64% of people aged 50-64 are on social media. Even one-third of adults over 65 use it, compared to just 10% in 2010. (Pew Research Center, 2017)
More than 3 hours on social media per day puts adolescents at a higher risk for mental health problems. (Etactics, 2020)
13% of kids ages 12-17 report depression, and 32% report anxiety. (National center for (OASH, 2019)
25% of 18 to 25-year-olds report mental illness. These age groups say high usage of social media. (OASH, 2019)
Since the release of smartphones, mental health concerns have increased in children and young adults. The rate of adolescents reporting symptoms of major depression in a given year increased by 52% from 2005 to 2017. From 2009 to 2017, it grew by 63% in adults ages 18 to 25. (Sciencedaily, 2019)
More than one in three adults (38%) see social media use as harmful. Only 5% think that it’s only positive (American Psychiatric Association, 2019)
Around 86% of 18- to 29-year-olds use social media. Another 80% of people aged 30-49 and 64% of people aged 50-64 are on social media. Even one-third of adults over 65 use it, compared to just 10% in 2010. (Pew Research Center, 2017)

Reducing social media use to even 30 minutes per day results in significantly lower levels of:

Fear of missing out (FOMO) (Helpguide, 2018)

An estimated 49.5% of young people had any mental disorder. (Samhsa, 2019)
50.6% of U.S. young people aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received medical care in 2016. (Jamanetwork,2016)
70.4% of young people in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness. (Ncyoj, 2020)
The percent of teenagers (aged 12-17) with major depression is 13%. This counts 3.1 million people. (Mhanationa, 2021)
Eight-graders who spend over 10 hours on social media per week are 56% more likely to report being unhappy than those who spend less time on social media. (Theatlantic, 2017)
97% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 have at least one account. (Mayoclinic, 2018)
Almost 25% of teens view social media as having a negative effect. (Pewresearch, 2018)

By analyzing the mental health statistics, we can see the nation’s mental health needs.
Although mental illness may be heritable, various factors contribute to developing a mental disorder. These factors need to be considered, so a healthcare professional can effectively diagnose and treat the mental illness.