Mental Health Facts

IN AMERICA

Fact: 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a given year.

1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness.

Nearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness.

One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by the age of 24.

Prevalence of Mental Illness by Diagnosis

1.1% 2.6% 6.9% 18.1%

1 in 100 (2.4 million) 2.6% (6.1 million) of 6.9% (16 million) of 18.1% (42 million) of
American adults live American adults live American adults live American adults live
with schizophrenia.1 with bipolar disorder.1 with major depression. 1 with anxiety disorders. 1

Consequences Impact

Mental Addiction
10.2m 1st
Illness Approximately 10.2 million Depression is the leading cause
adults have co-occuring of disability worldwide, and is a
mental health and major contributor to the global
addiction disorders.1 burden of disease.1

26% -$193b
Approximately 26% of homeless
adults staying in shelters live
with serious mental illness.1
$ Serious mental illness costs
America $193.2 billion in lost
earning every year.3

24%
Approximately 24% of state
90%
90% of those who die by
prisoners have “a recent history suicide have an underlying
of a mental health condition”.2 mental illness. Suicide is the
10th leading cause of death
in the U.S.3

Treatment in America
Whites

60% 50%
Americans

Americans
African

Hispanic

Americans
Asian

Nearly 60% of adults with a mental Nearly 50% of youth aged 8-15 African American & Hispanic Americans
illness didn’t receive mental health didn’t receive mental health services used mental health services at about 1/2
services in the previous year.4 the rate of whites in the past year and
in the previous year.1 Asian Americans at about 1/3 the rate.1

Ways to Get Help

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1 This document cites statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health. www.nimh.nih.gov
2 Statistics provided by Department of Justice.
3 American Journal of Psychiatry and U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, 1999.
4 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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 Mental Health Facts
MULTICULTURAL

Fact: Mental health affects everyone regardless of culture, race, ethnicity,

gender or sexual orientation.

1 in every 5 adults in America experience a mental illness.

Nearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness.

One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by the age of 24.

Prevalence of Adult Mental Illness by Race

16.3% 19.3% 18.6% 13.9% 28.3%

Hispanic adults White adults Black adults Asian adults AI/AN* adults
living with a living with a living with a living with a living with a
mental health mental health mental health mental health mental health
condition. condition. condition. condition. condition.
*American Indian/Alaska Native

LGBTQ Community Use of Mental Health

Services among Adults
2X (2008-2012)

LGBTQ individuals are 2 or Male Female

more times more likely as
straight individuals to have a 11.3%
mental health condition. White
21.5%

11% Black
6.6%
10.3%
11% of transgender individuals
reported being denied care by
mental health clinics due to bias 16.3%
or discrimination. AI/AN*
15.1%

4.4%
2-3X Lesbian, gay, bisexual,
Asian
5.3%
transgender and questioning
(LGBTQ) youth are 2 to 3 times 5.5%
more likely to attempt suicide Hispanic
than straight youth. 9.2%
*American Indian/Alaska Native

Critical Issues Faced by Multicultural Communities

Less access to treatment Culturally insensitive health care system

Racism, bias, homophobia or

Less likely to receive treatment
discrimination in treatment settings

Poorer quality of care Language barriers

Higher levels of stigma Lower rates of health insurance

Ways to Get Help

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1
This document cites statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health. www.nimh.nih.gov, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
New Evidence Regarding Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health and Injustice at every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.

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 Mental Health Facts
CHILDREN & TEENS
Fact: 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have a serious mental illness. 1

20% 11% 10% 8%

20% of youth ages 11% of youth have 10% of youth 8% of youth have
13-18 live with a mental a mood disorder 1 have a behavior or an anxiety disorder 1
health condition1 conduct disorder 1

Impact Suicide

50% 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness

begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.1
3rd
Suicide is the 3rd
leading cause of
death in youth

10 yrs The average delay between onset of

symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.1
ages 10 - 24.1

37% of students with a mental

health condition age 14 and
37% older drop out of school—the
highest dropout rate of any
disability group.1
90% 90% of those who
died by suicide had
an underlying
70% of youth in state and local
70% juvenile justice systems have a
mental illness.1
mental illness.1

Warning Signs

!
Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than
2 weeks (e.g., crying regularly, feeling ! Severe mood swings that cause problems
in relationships.
fatigued, feeling unmotivated).

Trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans

! Repeated use of drugs or alcohol.

! to do so. Drastic changes in behavior, personality or

! sleeping habits (e.g., waking up early and
! Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors that can
cause harm to self or others.
acting agitated).

Extreme difficulty in concentrating or

!
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason,
sometimes with a racing heart, physical
! staying still that can lead to failure in
school.
discomfort or fast breathing.
Intense worries or fears that get in the way
! Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to
lose weight; significant weight loss or gain.
! of daily activities like hanging out with
friends or going to classes.

4 Things Parents Can Do

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pediatrician mental health specialist the school other families
1
This document cites statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health. www.nimh.nih.gov

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