On Monday, July 29, the non-profit organization Mental health in America (MHA) published its Annual report on the state of mental health in the United States In its press release, the MHA said the United States is in a mental health crisis. The group found that 23 percent of adults suffered from a mental illness in the past year — nearly 60 million Americans.
According to the report, last year, 5% of adults and 13% of young people reported having serious suicidal thoughts. One in five young people had at least one major depressive episode (MDE), during which half of them did not receive treatment. Of those who did receive treatment, 65% said it helped them.
Last year, 18 percent of adults had a substance use disorder (SUD), of which 77 percent did not receive treatment.
Another key finding in the report was that one in four adults with mental health problems were unable to see a doctor due to financial concerns, an increase of two percent since the last report.
10% of adults and 8.5% of youth have private insurance, which does not cover mental health. There are 340 people for every mental health care provider in the United States.
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine ranked highest for overall mental health and treatment. Nevada, Arizona and Montana ranked lowest.
The number of people who died by suicide in 2022 was the highest number ever recorded in the United States, after slight declines in 2019 and 2020, MHA said.
“We live in a time of polycrisis where evidence shows the need for mental health care is urgent. Large numbers of adults and youth alike are experiencing serious thoughts of suicide, following a year with a record number of completed suicides. Substance use is on the rise, and other indicators of distress and disparity continue to increase. And yet, barriers like high costs or a shortage of mental health providers prevent so many Americans from accessing the help they need,” said Schroeder Stribling, MHA president and CEO, in a statement.
