Mental health is often an invisible issue. You can’t see it, and you can’t touch it, which can make it hard for people to understand and empathize with those who are struggling. Yet, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in America experiences mental illness in a given year. That’s more than 43 million people! And these numbers are on the rise. So, let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind mental health in America and explore inpatient facilities as a treatment option.
Mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. More than half of all adults will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. The most common mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
3 common types of mental health disorders in America
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness, affecting 40 million adults in the United States. That’s 18% of the population! Anxiety disorders can cause various symptoms, including fear, racing thoughts, and difficulty sleeping.
Depression is the second most common mental health disorder in the United States, affecting more than 16 million adults. That’s 7% of the population! Depression can cause various symptoms, including sadness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Substance abuse disorders are the third most common type of mental illness, affecting more than 23 million adults in the United States. That’s 10% of the population! Substance abuse can cause various symptoms, including addiction, financial problems, and relationship difficulties.
Mental health disorders are on the rise in the United States. The number of adults with mental illness has increased by more than 50% over the past decade. The rise in mental health disorders is due to various factors, including stress, anxiety, and trauma.
Inpatient treatment is one option for severe cases
Inpatient facilities offer a variety of treatment options for mental health disorders. Inpatient treatment can include medication, therapy, and group support. In addition, inpatient treatment is often used for severe mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Please look at the following infographic if you’re interested in more information on mental health disorder treatments and Behavioral Health Centers. It shows the latest information about the rise of mental health disorders across America.
Mental health in America infographic
Infographic Design By Behavioral Health Centers
My pleasure! What you do is a good thing! Well written and informative. I just need to remind people that I am writing from the States so I should be clearer with laws etc…There are some countries way ahead of us.
Yes, that’s a good point about making the location known. Sometimes I say that in the first paragraph if it’s for UK, US, Canada or somewhere else… It’s awesome that readers come to our blogs from around the world. You can see the countries in the dashboard, which is cool.
Very important article. I am a teacher and can attest to the rise in mental health issues in my students. Mental health issues need to be taken more seriously in the US. It starts with the insurance companies. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (federal parity law) enacted in 2008 is a step in the right direction. So much more needs to be done! Thanks again for the post!
There really is a lot more to do, as you say, which is shocking, given it’s 2023! Sometimes I’m thinking it’s like we’re going backward or at least in slow motion… Thanks for all of your reads and comments, AJ. I appreciate it.
Hi Christy, it would be interesting to see how this compares to other countries during the same period.
Yes!
Excellent informational Christy. No surprise, considering what’s going on in America. :( <3
It’s a sad time… ! Thanks Debby x
<3
Great post!
Thank you for being here, Christine!
Thank you for writing such an important article, Christy.
Thanks for being here, Pete. By bringing attention to the issues, we can begin to find solutions. xx