Are Mental Health Problems Increasing?

Are mental health problems increasing? The answer does seem to be yes, especially among adolescents and young adults. According to a study from the American Psychological Association, rates of mood disorders and events that relate to suicide have gone up significantly in the past decade within these younger age groups. Having a mental condition does seem to be on the rise. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, mental disorders were becoming increasingly prevalent. That’s likely even more true now, as the pandemic has had a negative impact, leading to increases in depression, anxiety and PTSD, and feelings of isolation and loneliness. Facts About Mental Disorders in America In 2019, 6% of adults in the U.S. experienced a mental illness, which is 1 in 5. Around 5.2% of adults in the United States experienced a severe mental illness in 2019, more than 13 million people. For adolescents aged 12 to 17, 16.5% reported a mental disorder in 2016. Only 44.8% of adults with mental illness got treat