What is the prevalence of mental illness in the United States?
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older experienced any mental illness (AMI) in the past year, representing 20.6% of the U.S. adult population. Moreover, approximately 13.1 million adults (5.2% of the U.S. adult population) experienced serious mental illness (SMI) in the past year.
Mental Illness Prevalence in the U.S.
Mental illness is a significant public health issue in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that major depressive disorder affects approximately 7% of adults in the U.S., and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting about 19% of adults.
Another statistic from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
These statistics highlight the widespread impact of mental illness in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness, access to treatment, and support for individuals and their families.