Mental Health Statistics
Mental health statistics are essential in understanding the scope and extent of illness and treatment options. They come from various sources such as medical, national, and epidemiological data as well as surveys.
In the United States, depression (major depressive disorder), anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are the four most prevalent mental disorders. Each one of these diagnoses can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life.
These disorders also increase an individual’s vulnerability to developing chronic illnesses. People with depression have an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular and metabolic issues compared to those without it.
In spite of the devastating effects of mental health and substance use disorders, access to care remains a barrier in some communities. For example, in January 2020 there was an average wait time of 67 days for children and youth to receive inpatient or outpatient counselling and therapy services; conversely, intensive treatment took an average of 92 days.
Furthermore, mental health care has become increasingly expensive for younger and lower-income individuals, especially in rural America where nearly 50% of America’s mental illness and substance use problems originate.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in America, with 48,000 Americans taking their own lives in 2018. An estimated 11.4 million people experienced serious mental illness in 2018, including anxiety and depression – that’s one in every five adults. Furthermore, 28,000 children and youth were on waiting lists for mental health treatment as of January 2020.
