A National Health Challenge
This interactive report provides a data-driven overview of the mental health crisis in the United States. The following key figures summarize the scale of the challenge, from the sheer number of people affected to the profound gaps in care and the staggering economic consequences.
adults experience a mental illness annually, highlighting the widespread nature of these conditions.
of adults with a mental illness do not receive any treatment, a gap of over 28 million people.
is the staggering average delay between the onset of symptoms and receiving treatment.
is the projected post-pandemic economic cost of untreated mental illness in the U.S.
The Big Picture: Who is Affected?
Mental illness impacts Americans across all stages of life, but the patterns of prevalence and age of onset reveal critical insights. This section explores the overall numbers for adults and youth, illustrating when these conditions most often begin and the scale of the issue within each group. Use the buttons below to switch between adult and youth data.
A Critical Window: Age of Onset
A crucial finding is that mental health conditions begin early in life, establishing a critical window for detection and intervention.
of all lifetime mental illnesses start by age 14
of all lifetime mental illnesses start by age 24
A Closer Look at Specific Conditions
While "mental illness" is a broad term, specific conditions have unique prevalence rates and impacts. This section allows for a focused exploration of the most common and severe disorders affecting Americans. Select a condition from the dropdown to see how it affects different populations and learn key facts.
Understanding the Disparities
The burden of mental illness is not shared equally. Significant disparities exist across race, ethnicity, and gender, impacting both who is most likely to experience a mental illness and who is most likely to receive care. This section visualizes these critical inequities.
Barriers to Care
Even when individuals seek help, the path to treatment is filled with obstacles. A staggering number of Americans go untreated due to a combination of high costs, a shortage of providers, and persistent stigma. The following illustrates the journey and its most significant barriers.
Untreated
Over half of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment, totaling over 28 million people.
Treatment Delay
The average time between symptom onset and seeking treatment is over a decade.
Provider Shortage
There is only one mental health provider for every 350 individuals in the U.S.
Key Reasons for Not Receiving Care
Cost & Insurance
28% cite financial reasons. Over 5.5M with mental illness are uninsured.
Stigma & Fear
42% of employees worry discussing mental health will harm their career.
Lack of Access
The severe provider shortage leads to long waits and geographic "deserts" of care.
The Societal & Economic Ripple Effect
The mental health crisis extends beyond individual suffering, imposing an enormous burden on the U.S. economy and its healthcare systems. Untreated conditions lead to lost productivity and place a massive, often avoidable, strain on emergency services.
Economic Burden
$300B+
Lost annually in productivity, medical expenses, and disability costs due to untreated mental illness.
Healthcare System Strain
~15%
Of all emergency room visits are due to untreated mental illness, costing billions in unnecessary spending.
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