How Did the Mental Health of Americans Conclude in 2023? Challenges for Emotional Wellbeing in 2024
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
Exploring the intricate tapestry of mental health in America, we delve into the intriguing question: How did the mental health landscape conclude in 2023? As we stand on the threshold of a new year, this article navigates through the challenges and nuances that shape emotional wellbeing in 2024. Join us in this reading to understand the evolving dynamics, emerging trends, and crucial insights that will influence the mental health narrative in the coming year.
According to Mental Health America and their report “The State of Mental Health in America 2023[1] ”:
- 21% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to over 50 million Americans.
- 15% of adults had a substance use disorder in the past year. 93.5% did not receive treatment.
- The percentage of adults reporting serious thoughts of suicide is 4.8% out of 12.1 million adults.
- 11% of adults who identified with two or more races reported serious thoughts of suicide.
- 16% of youth report suffering at least one major depressive episode last year. More than 2.7 million youths are experiencing severe major depression.
- 55% of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment, over 28 million individuals.
Other source, American Psychological Association published “Stress in America 2023: A nation grappling with psychological impacts of collective trauma [2] ”, here they revealed that the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of Americans. The survey [3] highlights a significant rise in reported mental health conditions and chronic illnesses, with adults aged 35 to 44 experiencing the most substantial increases. The long-term stress since the pandemic began has shaped a landscape where 66% of adults have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses, and 37% have a diagnosed mental health condition. More information on the survey findings, please visit https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/psychological-impacts-collective-trauma#:~:text=Adults%20ages%2035%20to%2044,illnesses%20at%2050%25%20in%202023.
Other important statistics were published by Forbes Health [4] :
- Anxiety disorders are some of the most diagnosed mental health conditions in the U.S., affecting 42.5 million adults.
- 21 million U.S. adults are living with depression, while 3.7 million people ages 12 to 17 experience major depression and 2.5 million people ages 12 to 17 experience severe depression.
- There are 12 million U.S. adults living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- There are 3.3 million U.S. adults with bipolar disorder diagnosis.
- Around 1.5 million U.S. adults have a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
In conclusion, some of the challenges highlighted, particularly among specific age groups and parents, underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing persisting psychological impacts. As we navigate the path into 2024, understanding these challenges becomes paramount for crafting effective strategies and support systems to promote emotional wellbeing in the face of ongoing adversity.
And you should remember that no matter the new year, you can continue to rely on the entire Neighbors’ Consejo team, who will continue to provide you with free support to enhance your emotional wellbeing in this 2024.
[1]chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/2023-State-of-Mental-Health-in-America-Report.pdf
[2]https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/psychological-impacts-collective-trauma#:~:text=Adults%20ages%2035%20to%2044,illnesses%20at%2050%25%20in%202023.
[3]https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress
[4]https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-statistics/