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 Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use (Marijuana,Heroin, Cocaine)
- Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
- Youth with At Least One Past Year Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
- Youth with Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use (Marijuana,Heroin, Cocaine)
- 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.
18.01% of adults struggle with a mental health problems annual. Equivalent to 43.4 million Americans.
4.2 million live with an Anxiety Disorder.
16 million live with Major Depression.
The state prevalence of mental illness ranges from 15.91% in Hawaii to 21.67% in New Hampshire.
Adult with Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use
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 reported having a substance use or alcohol problem. Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drug Use is influenced by state demographics including: age, degree of urbanicity, and economic conditions.
This year the measure Adult with Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use (Marijuana, Heroin, and Cocaine) was determined by calculating, and summing, the Z scores for measures Adult Alcohol Dependence in the Past Year, Adult Marijuana Use in the Past Year, Adult Cocaine Use in the Past Year, and Adult Heroin Use in the Past Year.
Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
The percentage of adults reporting serious thoughts of suicide is 3.99%. The estimated number of adults with serious suicidal thoughts equals 9.6 million individuals.
The state prevalence of adult with serious thoughts of suicide range from Texas at 3.46% to Utah at 5.25%.
Youth with At Least One Past Year Major Depressive Episode (MDE)
11.93% 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 indicates a significant increase in the number of depressed youth across the county, annually.
The state prevalence of youth with MDE ranges from Hawaii at 9.87% to Indiana at 14.64%.
Youth with Severe Major Depressive Episode
8.2% of youth (or 1.9 million youth) experienced severe depression. Depressive symptoms result in significant interference in school, home and in relationships.
States with highest rates (bottom 13 states) have almost TWICE as many severely depressed youth than states with the lowest rates (top 13 states).
The state prevalence of youth with Severe MDE ranges from 5.4% in South Dakota to 13.1% in Oregon.
Youth with Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use
5.13% of youth in America report having a substance use or alcohol problem.
3.3 million youth reported the use of Marijuana, Cocaine, and/or Heroin.
National youth rates have decreased over time, but higher rates remain among special populations, such LGBTQ, Service members and American and Alaskan Natives.
This year the measure Youth with Alcohol Dependence and Illicit Drugs Use (Marijuana, Heroin, and Cocaine) was determined by calculating, and summing, the Z scores for measures Youth Alcohol Dependence in the Past Year, Youth Marijuana Use in the Past Year, Youth Cocaine Use in the Past Year, and Youth Heroin Use in the Past Year.
