Despite what some may think, mental health problems are common in the United States and around the world. Mental health issues, much like other health issues, can be mild, but can also be life altering, affecting the emotional, social, and psychological well-being of the person. Common types of mental illness include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Although symptoms of mental illness differ depending on the type of illness and seriousness of the problem, common symptoms of mental health issues include changes in sleeping and eating habits, social withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness, anger, and prolonged sadness,
, and substance abuse. In 2022, it was estimated that around 33.8 percent of those in the U.S. aged 18 to 25 years and 29.2 percent of those aged 26 to 49 years
How common is depression in the United States?
Depression is one of the most common types of mental disorders in the United States with around 8.5 percent of U.S.
adults reporting a major depressive episode in the past year as of 2023. Although anyone can experience depression, it is more common among women than men and younger adults than older adults. For example, in 2023 around 17.5 percent of
women aged 18 to 20 reported a major depressive episode in the past year compared to 5.8 percent of women aged 50 to 59 years. Depression is a major risk factor for suicide so it is important for anyone who is suffering from depression and having thoughts of suicide to seek help. In 2023, around 31 percent of
those in the U.S. with a major depressive episode in the past year had serious thoughts of suicide compared to just 2.5 percent of those who did not have a major depressive episode.
The connection between mental health and substance abuse
Substance abuse has been known to promote symptoms of mental illness and those with mental illness will often abuse substances as a form of self-medication. In 2023, around 25 percent of U.S. adults who reported
alcohol dependence or abuse had serious mental illness. Those suffering from mental illness also use illicit drugs of all kinds at higher rates than those without such illness. For example, almost 37 percent of adults who had mental illness in the past year as of 2023
used marijuana, compared to 18.6 percent of adults who did not suffer from mental illness.
Mental health treatment
Treatment for mental health issues can come in many different forms and depends on the type and severity of the disorder. Common treatment methods include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy or counseling, medication, hospitalization, or support groups. Somewhat ironically, the use of
psychedelic drugs has also recently been explored in treating a number of mental health disorders. The most common types of
professionals seen for treatment among adults with a major depressive episode include a general practitioner or family doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or a counselor. However, around 51 percent of adults in the U.S. report they did
not receive mental health services because they could not afford it and 38.4 percent said they did not know where to go for such services.
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