Prevalence of Mental Illness
The scores for the six prevalence and nine access to treatment measures make up the Prevalence and Access to Care Ranking.
The 6 measures that make up the Prevalence Ranking include:
- Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI)
- Adults with Dependence or Abuse of Illicit Drugs or Alcohol
- Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
- Youth with At Least One Past Year Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
- Youth with Dependence or Abuse of Illicit Drugs or Alcohol
- Youth with Severe MDE.
A high ranking on the Prevalence Ranking indicates a lower prevalence of mental health and substance use issues. States that rank 1-10 have lower rates of mental health and substance use problems compared to states that ranked 42-51.
Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness - Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI)
According to SAMHSA, “Any Mental Illness (AMI) is defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder. Any mental illness includes persons who have mild mental illness, moderate mental illness, and serious mental illness.
18.29% of adults struggle with a mental health problems annual. In numbers, this equals to 43.7 million Americans.
The state prevalence of mental illness ranges from 16.03% in Florida to 22.66% in Oregon.
Adult with Dependence or Abuse of Illicit Drug or Alcohol
SAMHSA reports that the term “Illicit Drugs” includes marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically, including data from original methamphetamine questions but not including new methamphetamine items added in 2005 and 2006.
8.47% of adults in America report having a substance use or alcohol problem.
The state prevalence of adult alcohol and substance use ranges from 7.18% in Tennessee to 12.51% in Washington, DC.
Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
The percentage of adults reporting serious thoughts of suicide is 3.94%. The estimated number of adults with serious suicidal thoughts equals 9.4 million individuals.
The state prevalence of adult with serious thoughts of suicide range from Connecticut at 3.34% to Utah at 4.85%.
Youth with At Least One Past Year Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
11.01% of youth (age 12-17) report suffering from at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. Major Depression is marked by significant and pervasive feelings of sadness that are associated with suicidal thoughts and impair a young person’s ability to concentrate or engage in normal activities.
Data indicate a significant increase in the number of depressed youth across the country over time.
The state prevalence of youth with MDE ranges from Washington, DC at 8.69% to Oregon at 14.62%.
Youth with Severe Major Depressive Episode
7.4% of youth (or 1.8 million youth) experienced severe depression. These youth experienced very serious interference in school, home and in relationships.
States with highest rates (bottom 10 states) have almost TWICE as many severely depressed youth than states with the lowest rates (top 10 states).
The state prevalence of youth with Severe MDE ranges from 5.2% in North Dakota to 10.7% in Oregon.
Youth with Dependence or Abuse of Illicit Drugs or Alcohol
5.13% of youth in America report having a substance use or alcohol problem.
Substance use are going down throughout the country over time.
The state prevalence of youth alcohol and substance use ranges from 4.06% in Oklahoma to 6.44% in Colorado.
