Mental Health Statistics: Mental Health Facts, Stats by Age, Race, & More

Everyone will need to deal with mental health issues at some point in their lives, whether they are dealing with them themselves, with a family member, or with a friend or acquaintance. Knowing just how prevalent mental health issues are and just how staggering an issue it is can help people to have a better understanding of what people facing these issues are dealing with.

How Many People Experience Mental Health Issues?

Mental health is everyone’s concern.

1. Data from the National Institutes of Health shows that 57 million Americans are living with a mental illness. However, many others are undiagnosed.
2. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious now than they did in 2023. That is up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Mental Health Statistics by Gender

It’s important to know that all genders and ages can suffer from mental health. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides a look at some of the statistics related to this field.

• As of 2021, 41% of females aged 18-25 were diagnosed with a mental illness.
• In 2021, it was determined that 25% of males aged 18-25 had a mental illness.

Mental Health Statistics by Age

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the age at which it varies.
• In adults aged 18-25, 36% were reported to have any type of mental health issue
• Aged 26-49, it was reported that 29% had a mental health issue
• 50+, it was reported that 13% had a mental health issue

Mental Health Statistics by Race

According to the report from the National Institute on Mental Health, adults reporting mental health issues by race fluctuated, with multi-race people having the highest percentage of incidents.

Mental Health Statistics in the LGBTQIA+ Community

• 39% of the LGBTQIA+ have reported having a mental health illness in the past year, according to Mental Health America

Prevalence of Specific Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions fall into two primary categories. These are Any Mental Illness and Serious Mental Illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Among adults, it breaks down as follows:

• Overall, 50% of adults have received treatment for any mental health issues.
• 6% of Americans have been treated for serious mental health issues.

Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System Statistics

Mental health issues are everywhere. They are especially prevalent among those in the current prison system.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 37 – 44% of incarcerated individuals have been treated for mental illness.

Mental Health Treatment Statistics

According to the National Institute of Mental Health for 2022, the following is true about adults receiving treatment for mental health issues:

• 50% of adults have received treatment for mental health issues
• 56% of female adults have received treatment
• 41% of male adults have received treatment

The Cost of Mental Health Statistics

Mental health treatment is a big investment.

According to a study by Columbia Business School, mental health costs annually in the US are over $280 billion.

Mental Health and Suicide

Suicidal ideations are a mental health issue. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the following was found about suicide and adults:

12 million adults in the US had suicidal thoughts.

1.5 million adults in the US attempted suicide.