A D V O C A C Y
& Information
M e n t a l H e a l t h I s P u b l i c H e a l t h
Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.
22.8% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021 (57.8 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
5.5% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2021 (14.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
7.6% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2021 (19.4 million people)
Mental Health Affects Everyone.
Having a mental illness can make it challenging to live everyday life and maintain recovery. Beyond the individual, these challenges ripple out through our families, our communities, and our world.
PERSON
People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions.
33.5% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2021 (19.4 million individuals)
The rate of unemployment is higher among U.S. adults who have mental illness (7.4%) compared to those who do not (4.6%)
High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers
Students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade.
FAMILY
At least 8.4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue
Caregivers of adults with mental or emotional health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care
COMMUNITY
21.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition
Among people in the U.S. under age 18, depressive disorders are the most common cause of hospitalization (after excluding hospitalization relating to pregnancy and birth)
Among people in the U.S. aged 18-44, psychosis spectrum and mood disorders account for nearly 600,000 hospitalizations each year
19.7% of U.S. Veterans experienced a mental illness in 2020 (3.9 million people)
9.6% of Active Component service members in the U.S. military experienced a mental health or substance use condition in 2021
Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year
WORLD
Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity each year
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide
C o m m o n
W a r n i n g S i g n s O f M e n t a l
I l l n e s s
Diagnosing mental illness isn’t a straightforward science. We can’t test for it the same way we can test blood sugar levels for diabetes. Each condition has its own set of unique symptoms, though symptoms often overlap.
It’s Okay To Talk About Suicide.
Thoughts of suicide can be frightening. But by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends,
we can avoid devastating outcomes.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause of death
among those aged 15-24 in the U.S.Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition
90% of people who die by suicide may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition,
according to interviews with family, friends and medical professionals
(also known as psychological autopsy)Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, high risk populations:
U.S. Adults: annual average 4.8%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 7.4%
Mixed/Multiracial: 8.2%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.5%
Youth Populations
Young adults aged 18-25: 13%
High school students: 22%
LGBTQ youth: 45%
Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth
79% of people who die by suicide are male
Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide at some point in their lifetime
compared to the general population
Innovations in the range of evidence based medications, therapy and psychosocial services such as psychiatric rehabilitation, housing, employment and peer supports have made wellness and recovery a reality for people living with mental health conditions.
Choosing the right mix of treatments and supports that work for you is an important step in the recovery process. Treatment choices for mental health conditions will vary from person to person. Even people with the same diagnosis will have different experiences, needs, goals and objectives for treatment. There is no “one size fits all” treatment.
When people are directly involved in designing their own treatment plan, including defining recovery and wellness goals, choosing services that support them and evaluating treatment decisions and progress , the experience of care and outcomes are improved.
There are many tools that can improve the experience on the road to wellness: medication, counseling (therapy), social support and education. Therapy, for example, can take many forms, from learning relaxation skills to intensively reworking your thinking patterns. Social support, acceptance and encouragement from friends, family and others can also make a difference. Education about how to manage a mental health condition along with other medical conditions can provide the skills and supports to enrich the unique journey toward overall recovery and wellness.
Together with a treatment team you can develop a well-rounded and integrated recovery plan that may include counseling, medications, support groups, education programs and other strategies that work for you.
Treatment
