Mental Health Facts And Statistics About Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, And More

Mental health awareness and education have progressed over the centuries, from the reform movements in the 19th century to the National Mental Health Act of the 20th century. Today, scientific advancements, increased public dialogue, and expanded focus have paved the way for a deeper understanding of mental health issues and treatments. 

Despite this progress, stigma remains a significant issue throughout the world, and significant disparities still exist regarding mental health education and treatment of mental disorders. These issues can have a substantial impact on every level, from individuals to entire nations. This post aims to raise awareness of the mental health challenges that some face in the U.S., who they affect, and how to help those in need without stigma or judgment. 

Mental health awareness is key to reducing stigma

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Why mental health awareness matters

In the past, many assumed that mental health challenges were limited to severe conditions.

Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a “state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” 

This broader awareness can promote early intervention, improve understanding, and reduce stigma within communities. It can also empower individuals to manage their wellbeing and advocate for better mental health resources and policies. 

The state of mental health in the US

In 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results from its Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States report. They found that: 

• 23.4% of adults in the US had any mental illness (AMI)—A broad category encompassing all mental health conditions with mild to severe symptoms
• 5.6% of US adults had a serious mental illness (SMI)—A smaller subset of AMI that causes significant functional impairment and limits major life activities, often requiring more intensive treatment

Depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and more: The most common mental health conditions in the US

Research reveals that the prevalence of mental health conditions can vary with factors like age, sex, and region. Also, issues of societal bias and underreporting may result in skewed mental health statistics. For example, experts now believe that ADHD symptoms have been historically unrecognized in women, and eating disorders are often underrepresented in men. Below are some of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S. 

Anxiety disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders listed in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and phobias. Statistics regarding anxiety disorders and their prevalence include:

• Anxiety disorders affect 40 million (19.1 percent) of adults age 18 and older each year, making them the most common mental illness in the U.S.
• Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience an anxiety disorder.
• In 2019, non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to experience symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder than other races and Hispanic-origin groups.
• Systematic racism puts people of color at a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders than white people.
• The median age of onset for generalized anxiety disorder is 30 years old.

Depressive disorders

A Center for Disease Control or CDC study on depression prevalence between August 2021 and 2023 reveals depressive disorders are the second most common condition in the US, with 13.1% of people 12 and older experiencing depression within the last two weeks. The same study found that nearly 88% of individuals reported that depression interfered with their ability to manage daily life at work, home, school, or social activities. Other statistics highlighting depression in the U.S. include:

• In 2021, the CDC reported that 10.3% of adult females and 6.2% of adult males experienced major depressive symptoms.
• Adults with early-onset major depressive disorder were most often between 18 and 30 years old.
• Hispanic women reported the most depressive symptoms, followed by Black women, white and Asian women, Black men, Hispanic men, and white and Asian American men.
• Suicidal acts are 3.4 times more lethal in men than in women.

Substance use disorders (SUDs)

Key statistics for substance use disorders (SUDs) in the U.S. in 2025 reflect recent data from 2024 and 2023. While there has been a notable decline in overdose deaths, the prevalence of SUDs remains high, and a significant treatment gap persists. Data from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides the most current picture of SUDs in the US:

• 16.8% of people aged 12 or older, or 48.4 million people, have an SUD. 
• 9.7% of people aged 12 or older have an alcohol use disorder, a slight decrease from 2021.
• 9.8% of people aged 12 or older have a drug use disorder, an increase since 2021.
• Approximately 86.6 million adults (33.0%) have either a mental illness (AMI) or an SUD.
• About 1 in 5 people (19.3%) aged 12 or older who needed SUD treatment received it.
• A considerable number of people who didn't receive treatment believed they needed it, pointing to barriers like cost, stigma, and lack of awareness.

Bipolar disorder

Although bipolar disorder is less common than depression and anxiety, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) reports it is the 6th leading cause of disability worldwide, and about one in 40 US adults lives with it. Other DBSA statistics on bipolar disorder prevalence in the US include:

• About 2.8% of U.S. adults were affected by bipolar disorder in the past year, impacting roughly 1 in every 35 adults. 
• Men and women are affected at nearly equal rates, with about 2.9% of men and 2.8% of women diagnosed every 12 months. 
• Bipolar disorder typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, with prevalence being highest in the 18-29 age bracket, a pattern that declines with older age. 
• Prevalence of bipolar disorder among U.S. adolescents aged 13-18 is around 2.9%. 
• Bipolar disorder appears to have a genetic link; a child’s risk of developing it increases 15-30% if one parent has the disorder and rises to 50-75% if both parents are affected.

Children and adolescent mental health

Mental health issues can begin in children as early as three years old, but most commonly emerge between ages six and 17. Data shows that anxiety is the most common condition in children ages three to 17, followed by behavior disorder and depression. Efforts are ongoing to address issues like depression, anxiety, and substance use in children through community-based services and improving coordination across sectors like health care and education. 

Youth mental health statistics

The CDC publishes behavioral health statistics through its biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), highlighting factors contributing to mental health challenges in U.S. students. Here are some takeaways from the YRBS from 2021 to 2023:

• 10% of adolescents ages 12-17 reported that they had experienced anxiety symptoms, and 18% reported depression symptoms within the past two weeks.
• 40% of high school students reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year.
• 20% of high schoolers reported seriously considering attempting suicide,16% reported making a suicide plan, and 9% reported attempting suicide. 
• 22% reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
• 17% reported smoking marijuana in the past month.
• 4% reported misusing prescription drugs in the past month. 
• 10% reported they had used illicit drugs at least once.

Schools as a setting for support

Data trends show that mental health issues can have a significant impact on school performance. For example, in 2021, the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health reported that students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns were  3 times more likely to repeat a grade. Additionally, previous research indicates that high school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers. Initiatives like the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health highlight a growing consensus that schools should play a more significant role in youth mental health support through whole-school mental health strategies and inclusive climates. 

Trends in treatment

Research shows mixed outcomes regarding adults’ utilization of and connections to treatment. For example, between 2019 and 2023, the CDC reported a rise of nearly 5% in mental health treatment among adults aged 18-64. However, despite the improvement, almost 60% of people with mental illnesses hadn’t received any kind of mental health care in 2024. 

Solutions to treatment barriers

One of the most prevalent barriers to mental health care is an inability to afford treatment. Others include availability of care, social stigma, and lack of confidence in mental health treatment due to miseducation. Digital therapy platforms and telehealth services can provide solutions to many of these barriers. 

For example, research shows that digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) help expand care by offering services to underserved and remote populations, bridging both geographical and socioeconomic barriers. Online platforms like BetterHelp allow users to attend sessions from home, providing a more discreet and comfortable option for those impacted by stigma. Additionally, BetterHelp is often more affordable than traditional treatment without insurance, and the platform may offer financial assistance to those who qualify.

Research also suggests that online therapy can be effective for treating a wide range of mental health issues. One review by The Journal of Military Medicine reported similar treatment outcomes between telehealth platforms and in-person methods for individuals with depression, PTSD, and mixed diagnoses.

Mental health inequities among racial and ethnic minorities

Mental health inequities in the U.S. disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, who face significant barriers to quality mental health care despite similar or higher prevalence of disorders and worse outcomes. In 2022, data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness found:

• Black and Hispanic adults with mental illness were significantly less likely than white adults to receive services.
• When care is received, it is often more likely to be of poor quality, lacking cultural competency and understanding of diverse needs.
• Systemic racism often creates higher psychosocial stress in communities of color.

Mental health awareness is key to reducing stigma

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Disparities among the LGBTQ+ community

A disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ individuals experience mental health issues and face significant disparities in receiving treatment. In comparing LGBTQ+ with heterosexual and cisgender populations, NAMI reports: 

• LGBTQ+ adults are more than twice as likely to have a mental health condition.
• Individuals in the transgender community are nearly four times as likely to experience a mental health condition.
• Young people in the LGBTQ+ community are at greater risk for mental health conditions and are more than twice as likely to experience enduring hopelessness or sadness.
• Transgender youth are twice as likely to experience depression and suicidal ideation.