Emotional Health Facts Mental Health Statistics 2020-2022
- More than 43 million Americans struggle with mental illness.
- Youth depression rates have risen from 5.9% to 8.2% since 2012.
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community are almost 3 times more likely to experience a mental health issues such as major depression or anxiety disorder.
- 1 in 4 adults living with serious mental illnesses also struggle with substance abuse.
- Suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States in 2020.
- In 2020 45,900 people died by suicide in the United States.
- Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 in 2020.
- Suicide was the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24 in 2020.
- Suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44 in 2020.
- There were nearly two times as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576) in 2020.
- In 2020, the females’ suicide rate was the highest among females aged 45-64. 7.9 per 100,000 females.
- In 2020, the male suicide rate was highest for those aged 75 and older. 40.5 per 100,000 males.
- 1/2 of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old.
- 3 1/2 of mental health disorders begin before age 24.
- Only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness.
- Individuals with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population.
Facts About Mental Health
- Mental health is about every person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
- 1 in five American adults experienced a mental health issue in 2020.
- 1 in 6 young people experienced a major depressive episode in 2020.
- In 2020, one in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry have a direct effect on our mental health.
- Trauma or abuse are also direct triggers to mental health.
- Family history of mental health conditions also are factors that contribute to mental health.
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little is an early sign of poor mental health.
- Pulling away from people and usual activities early sign of poor mental health.
- Having low or no energy early sign of poor mental health.
- Feeling numb or like nothing, matters is a sign of poor mental health.
- Having unexplained aches and pains is an early sign of poor mental health.
- Feeling helpless or hopeless is a sign of mental health issues.
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual is a factor in poor mental health.
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared is a symptom of poor mental health.
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends are mental health signs.
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships is a result of poor mental health.
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head is a condition of poor mental health.
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true are an indication of mental health issues.
- Thinking of harming yourself or others is a result of severe mental health conditions.
- The inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school is the result of poor mental health.
Covid Mental Health Statistics
- The COVID-19 pandemic triggers a 25% increase in feelings of anxiety and depression worldwide.
- 90% of countries registered with the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to provide mental health and psychosocial support to COVID-19 patients and responders.
- WHO reported that in 2020, governments worldwide spent on average just over 2% of their health budgets on mental health.
- 1 mental health worker per 100,000 people is the help available reported from low-income countries to the WHO.
Positive Mental Health
- Positive mental health allows people to realize their full potential.
- A person knows how to cope with the stresses of life.
- Positive mental health people work productively.
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
- People with positive mental health know when to get professional help if they need it.
- Connecting with others is a sign of positive mental health.
- Staying positive is common among people with positive mental health.
- Getting physically active is a great way of managing positive mental health.
- Good habits such as getting enough sleep and helping others are ways of maintaining positive mental health.
- Developing coping skills is the goal of staying in a positive mental health state.
Sources: mentalhealth.gov, National Institute of Mental Health, CDC, WHO, dosomething.org.