In spite of what most people might think, mental health issues have become extremely common in the US and also around the world. Much like other physical issues, mental health issues can also be mild but at times there are few mental health disorders which can become life-altering and this may have an impact on the social, emotional, psychological well-being of a person. Few of the common kinds of mental illness include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders and eating disorders.
Though the symptoms of mental health disorders can vary according to different people there are few common symptoms of mental health problems like eating and sleeping habits, feelings of hopelessness, social withdrawal, prolonged sadness, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. It was predicted that more than 25% of the people in the US aged between 18 and 25 years and 25% of those who are aged between 26 and 50 years suffered from some type of mental illness in 2017.
Mental Health facts, data and stats
Mental Health America is committed to endorsing mental health as one of the most vital parts of the overall wellness of a person. They are the ones who advocate for prevention services, intervention of such diseases, early identification, integrated services, treatment and care for those who need it. Providing rapid recovery is their first goal. Mental Health America believes that offering updated information and data regarding disparities is nothing but a way of providing a path for change. Here are few key findings.
- One among five adults in the US suffer from some kind of mental health issue and this figure is equivalent to more than 40 million Americans, which is more than the combined population of Florida and New York.
- The state of mental health for the youth is worsening like never before. From 6.8% in 2014, the rates of depression among the youth hiked to 9.8% in 2017. Despite suffering from severe stages of depression, 80% of them were left untreated.
- There is increased access to different sorts of mental health services as people are now reaping the benefits of treatment and insurance. Post the healthcare reform, there is a reduction in the number of uninsured adults which is a good sign for the country. Especially in those states which expanded Medicaid, there was a greater decrease in the number of adults without any insurance policy.
- Despite getting insured, there are still too many people who don’t get the proper care. 58% of the American adults who are suffering from some kind of mental illness don’t get the required treatment. Maine is a state which has got the best access to treatments and services but there too, 45% of the adults with mental disorders are left untreated.
Through the above-mentioned data and statistics, you’ll get to know the abysmal state of mental health in the US.
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