8 Crazy Mental Health Statistics: USA, Globally, + Demographics

Key Mental Health Statistics: A Brief Overview

● 1 in 4 people suffer from one or another form of mental disorder in their lifetime.

● Approximately 792 million people worldwide have some form of mental disorder or mental illness.

● Collectively, over $2.5 trillion is spent annually on mental illness; however, access to mental healthcare remains limited in low- and middle-income countries.

● Around 50% of patients begin showing signs of mental illness by the age of 14, often not recognized until 10 years later.

● There are nearly 90 suicides every hour, resulting in 2,200 deaths by suicide daily, with 90% of them related to mental disorders.

● Mental illness accounts for 20% of the global burden of diseases.

● Less than 3% of the global healthcare budget is allocated to address mental health needs.

● Behavioral and mental disorders have become the leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassing all other illnesses.

● Annual global spending on mental health is less than US$ 2 per person and less than US$ 0.25 per person in low-income countries.

● Out-of-pocket costs for therapy range anywhere from $65/hour all the way up to $450/hour for specialists, which is needed for conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

● Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. It’s easy to overlook our mental health, but neglecting it can have serious consequences. Mental illness affects millions of people worldwide, and it’s important to stay informed about mental health conditions and the resources available to help those who may be struggling.

Taking care of our mental health should be a priority just like we prioritize our physical health. Self-care is crucial and can take many forms, such as meditation, therapy, or simply taking a break from our busy lives to relax and recharge. We should also be mindful of those around us and make sure we are there to support our loved ones who may be going through a tough time.

Let’s work together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage open conversations about mental health. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let’s make sure we take care of ourselves and those around us by prioritizing our mental health.

Common Causes Behind Deteriorating Mental Health and Serious Mental Illness

Mental health is a complex and multifaceted subject that affects us all. While many factors can contribute to deteriorating mental health, stress is one of the major causes. Stress can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, school, relationships, or even everyday life. The constant pressure to perform and meet expectations can have a serious impact on mental health, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches and difficulty sleeping.

Factors like working long hours, caring for a relative, or experiencing economic hardship can lead to poor mental health.

But stress is just one of the many causes behind deteriorating mental health. Other factors include poor diet and lack of exercise, social isolation, unresolved trauma, chronic illness, substance abuse, and even genetics. Understanding the root of the problem is essential to finding effective solutions to improve mental health and well-being.

It’s important to recognize the signs of stress and take action to reduce to maintain good mental health. This may include practicing self-care, seeking professional help, or making lifestyle changes to reduce stress levels. By taking proactive steps to address the root causes behind deteriorating mental health, we can improve our overall quality of life and well-being.

Ways to Take Care of Our Mental Health

By taking small steps to prioritize our mental health, we can improve our quality of life and maintain a healthy mind-body balance. There are multiple ways in which we can take care of our mental health, and those around us. They include but are not limited to:

● Practicing mindfulness

● Engaging in regular exercise

● Seeking professional help and mental health treatment when needed

Remember, mental health is not a taboo subject. It’s important to talk to loved ones and friends about our struggles and seek help when needed. By doing so, we can create a supportive community and help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Chapter 1: Mental Health Statistics: At a Glance

In a world where mental health touches the lives of millions, these statistics paint a stark picture. From the sheer scale of individuals affected to the staggering economic and social costs, the global impact of mental disorders is profound.

● According to the CDC and WHO, every 1 in 4 people suffer mental health issues of varying degrees and intensity.

● Around the world, more than 792 million people have been diagnosed with mental disorders or illnesses.

● Collectively, more than $2.5 trillion are spent per year on mental illness, the numbers are expected to grow by $6 trillion by the end of this decade.

● Around 50% of patients begin showing signs of mental illness by the age of 14, which are often not recognized until 10 years later.

Mental illnesses are categorized into Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI), with SMI being a more severe subset of AMI.

● There are nearly 90 suicides every hour, resulting in 2,200 deaths by suicide daily, with 90% of them related to mental disorders.

● Mental diseases and issues account for a staggering 20% of the global burden of diseases.

● It is equally alarming that less than 3% of the global healthcare budget goes to mental health needs.

● Behavioral and mental disorders are now the leading cause of disability worldwide, surpassing all other illnesses.

Chapter 2: Mental Health Statistics in Adolescents

In the realm of adolescent mental health, these statistics reveal the profound challenges faced by young individuals.

● Every 1 out of 7 persons aged 10 to 19 experiences a mental disorder, contributing to a substantial 13% of the global burden of disease.

● Depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders stand out as leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.

● Tragically, suicide ranks as the fourth leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29.

● Among adolescents, 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds and 4.6% of 15–19-year-olds grapple with anxiety disorders.

Panic disorder is one of the anxiety disorders affecting adolescents, characterized by sudden and repeated panic attacks.

● Depression affects approximately 1.1% of adolescents aged 10–14 years and 2.8% of those aged 15–19.

● Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prevalent, impacting 3.1% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds.

● Conduct disorder, characterized by destructive or challenging behavior, affects 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds and 2.4% of 15–19-year-olds.

Chapter 3: Mental Health in Older Adults

Mental Health issues are not only visible in youths and adults. It also affects the older ones to a significant extent.

● Approximately 15% of individuals aged 60 and above grapple with mental health issues ranging from varying disorders and illnesses.

● Surprisingly, over 20% of adults in this age group contend with a mental or neurological disorder (excluding headache disorders), constituting 6.6% of all disability-adjusted life years.

● These conditions collectively account for a substantial 17.4% of Years Lived with Disability.

● Notably, the most prevalent mental and neurological disorders among older adults are dementia and depression, affecting approximately 5% and 7% of this population, respectively.

● Additionally, anxiety disorders impact 3.8% of the elderly population, while substance use problems afflict nearly 1%.

● Alarmingly, around a quarter of deaths resulting from self-harm occur among individuals aged 60 or above.

Chapter 4: Spending Statistics on Mental Health

Despite the pressing nature of the issue, the net healthcare spending on mental health paints a grim picture around the world – especially in low- and middle-income countries. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration plays a crucial role in providing access to mental health care, including a 24/7 helpline for immediate help and support for individuals experiencing mental health conditions.

● Globally, WHO noted in 2013 that the average percentage of government spending on mental health was just 0.5% of the overall health budget.

● Developed states might be a bit farther along in the de-stigmatization of mental health, but they spent just 5.5% of their annual health budget on mental health on average.

● To visualize, the spending can be illustrated in terms of per capita annual spending on mental health which is less than $2 per person in developed countries, and less than $0.25 in low- and middle-income countries.

Chapter 5: Mental Health Statistics in the US

Although the United States government has increased its efforts to ramp up healthcare in recent years, there is room for improvement when it comes to mental health care. The increased accessibility of mental health treatment in the US is a positive step forward, but challenges remain. The following statistics present a bleak picture when it comes to the status of mental health in the US.

● Nearly 22.8% of the US population experience mental illness of varying degrees and intensity.

● This accounts for almost 57.8 million people across the States.

● Of those 22.8% of the population, around 5.5% experience serious mental and behavioral disorders emanating from an underlying condition.

● Additionally, the situation is more pervasive when it comes to youth. A staggering 16.5% of the US youth aged 6-17 experience mental health disorders.

Mental Health Statistics in the US by Demographics:

The annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults varies significantly across demographic groups, revealing differences in mental health challenges:

● Non-Hispanic Asian adults experience a lower prevalence, with 16.4% reporting mental health issues.

● Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander adults follow closely with an 18.1% prevalence rate.

● Non-Hispanic Black or African American adults report a prevalence rate of 21.4%.

● Hispanic or Latino adults have a mental illness prevalence rate of 20.7%.

● Non-Hispanic White adults show a slightly higher prevalence, with 23.9% experiencing mental health concerns.

● Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults have the second-highest prevalence at 26.6%.

● Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial adults have the highest reported prevalence, with a substantial 34.9%.

● Notably, individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual experience a significantly higher prevalence of mental illness at 50.2%.

Annual Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders among US Adults:

The annual prevalence of various mental health conditions among U.S. adults sheds light on the scope of these disorders. While severe mental health issues remain less in numbers, the underlying reasons behind them are prevalent among many. It is equally significant that around one-fifth of the total adult population experience Anxiety Disorders.

● Schizophrenia has the lowest reported prevalence, affecting less than 1% of the adult population.

● Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, commonly referred to as OCD, is reported in 1.2% of adults.

● Borderline Personality Disorder affects 1.4% of the adult population.

● Bipolar Disorder is reported in 2.8% of adults.

● Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, also colloquially known as PTSD, is prevalent among 3.6% of adults.

● Major Depressive Episodes are experienced by a significant 8.3% of adults.

● Anxiety Disorders encompass a substantial portion of the population, with a prevalence of 19.1%.

Chapter 6: COVID-19 and Mental Health

Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns have become increasingly prominent. Researchers have observed a significant rise in the prevalence of depression and anxiety during the first year of the pandemic, reflecting the profound impact on the mental health of people around the globe.

● Researchers found a significant increase in depression and anxiety during the first year of the pandemic, with estimates ranging between 25% to 27%.

● Throughout the pandemic, many adults reported symptoms consistent with anxiety and depression, with approximately four in ten adults reporting these symptoms by early 2021.

● A WHO survey in early 2022 showed that 44% of countries reported disruptions to mental health care, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and emergency care.

Chapter 7: Mental Health and Productivity Statistics

Deteriorating mental health has affected productivity to a considerable degree.

● In 2019, around 15% of working-age adults were estimated to have a mental disorder.

● By the end of COVID-19, the percentage rose to almost 48% signifying the devastating mental health impacts of the pandemic.

● As a result, 81% of workplaces have increased their focus on employee mental health.

● Nevertheless, only 38% of employees feel comfortable using their company’s mental health services.

● Nearly half (48%) of employees say their mental well-being declined in 2022, and 28% said they are miserable in their workplace, and 60% of employees also reported feeling emotionally detached at work.

● 68% of millennials and 81% of Gen Zs left their jobs for mental health-related reasons in the last year.

● Consequently, globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost each year due to depression and anxiety, resulting in a staggering cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

Chapter 8: Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms

When it comes to mental health issues and the relevant coping mechanisms, they can broadly be categorized into three groups: medication, distraction, and indulgence. The latter represents indulging in different activities – overeating, for instance – in order to cope with the reality of our deteriorating mental health. The statistics given below present a clear picture of coping mechanisms when it comes to mental health.

● Most recent CDC data revealed that 13.2% of adults in the United States are on antidepressants. This represents a 65% increase from just 20 years ago.

● The use of antidepressants as a coping mechanism is reported to be higher in women than men.

● The studies also show that the use of antidepressants increases with age, in both sexes.

● Notwithstanding this, the reports also point to the fact that the use of antidepressants is presumably highest amongst women of 60 years and older i.e. 24.3%.

● In addition to the use of antidepressants, the use of opioids is highly documented with more than 10.1 million people misusing the prescription opioids to alleviate their illness and effects.

● Worldwide, the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking among adolescents aged 15–19 years was 13.6% in 2016, with males most at risk. Over the last few years, the percentage has risen to a staggering 20.2%.

● The use of tobacco and cannabis are additional concerns. Cannabis is the most widely used drug among young people with about 4.7% of 15–16-years-olds using it at least once in 2018.

Mental Health Services Accessibility Statistics

Even though mental health remains a concern of great significance, accessibility to mental health care especially in low- and middle-income countries remains discouraging.

● Almost half the world’s population lives in countries where, on average, there is one psychiatrist to serve 200,000 or more people.

● Contrast that with countries like Afghanistan, Ghana and Egypt, which have a combined average of just 0.12 psychologists per 100,000 population.

● Thus, 77% of global suicides happen in low- and middle-income countries stemming from mental health-related conditions

● Only 36% of people living in low-income countries are covered by mental health legislation compared with 92% in high-income countries.