Mental Illness Statistics
Our country is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. The crisis isn’t just affecting adults, its devastating young people, and people from every background are impacted. Research shows that tens of millions of Americans experience symptoms of a mental health condition each year. Estimates suggest that only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment; however the number of people seeking care is trending upward. While a mental health diagnosis may impact an individual’s daily life, it can also have a ripple effect across families, communities and even economies.
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1 in 5 adults experience mental illness
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1 in 20 adults experience serious mental illness
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1 in 15 adults experience both substance use disorder and mental illness
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12 + million Americans have had serious thoughts of suicide
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17% of youth ages 6-17yrs experience mental health disorder
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18-25 yr olds in US have highest rate of experiencing mental health concerns (30.6%)
Facts on Suicide
An estimated 703,000 people die by suicide per year and affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. The rate for Military and Veteran Suicide is double that of the civilian sector. Risk factors such as PTSD, MST, TBI, depression, chronic pain, as well as family history often lead to these many deaths.
We can't always convince someone to stay, but we show support, encourage people to speak up and check in on our loved ones. Family and friends are often the first to recognize that a loved one may be contemplating, considering, or even planning suicide, and are in a good position to ask their loved one if they are thinking of taking their own life. Though asking may be difficult, studies show it can, and does, often contribute to fewer suicide attempts. There are many signs of suicide, such as: talking about wanting to die, feelings of hopelessness, or sudden changes in behavior. Assist and encourage your loved one to get the help they need.
Warning Signs
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Sleeping too often/too little
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Talking about being a burden
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Extreme mood swings
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Isolating oneself
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Social withdrawal
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Looking for a way to kill oneself
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Drug/alcohol abuse
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Visiting/calling people to say goodbye
CRISIS SUPPORT
If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide and needs to speak with someone immediately please call 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1 if Veteran), text 838255, call 911, text TALK to 741-741, call or text 988, chat on 988lifelong.org
Statistics:
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Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in US Children ages 10-14yrs old
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Suicide is 3rd leading cause of death in US ages 15-24yrs old.
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Suicide is 12th leading cause overall in the US for all deaths/all ages.
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Suicide rates have increased approximately 36% between 2000-2021.
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One death every 11 minutes in the US is by suicide.
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Approx 132 people in US per day by suicide.
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There are more than 5 suicides in the US per hour.
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75% of all suicides are men.
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30% of all veterans have considered suicide.
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Newest studies suggest we lose 44 veterans per day to suicide.
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37% of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans know a veteran who has died by suicide.
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Although the military only makes up 10% of the US population approximately 20% of suicides are veterans
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Over 30,000 veterans have died by suicide since 9/11 vs the 7,000 in combat during OIF and OEF.
Suicidal Thoughts are a symptom, just like any other-they can and need to be treated and can improve over time.
Ending the Stigma on mental health is going to come with a collaborative effort of our communities, doctors and those who have struggled with mental health to speak up, educate and share. Most people who have lived with a mental illness have, at some point, been blamed for their condition. Many people have a mindset that that it is something that they can control. Stigma causes those who suffer with mental illness to feel ashamed of something that is out of their control. What is worse is that stigma prevents people from seeking help they need. Stigma causes another unacceptable addition to their pain. Although stigma has reduced to some degree over the recent years, the pace of progress has not been quick enough. We need to come together to stand up to stigma and raise our voices against it.
How can we help?
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Talk openly about mental health.
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Educate yourself and others on mental illness.
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Accepting that mental illnesses as real illnesses rather than dismissing them as just sadness.
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Encourage equality between physical and mental illness.
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Don't make jokes about suicide or killing oneself.
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Be present physically.
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Check in on loved ones instead expecting them to reach out.
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Show compassion for those with mental illness.
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Encouraging those who struggle to chose empowerment over shame.
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For those seeking treatment to be honest and not ashamed.
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Help raise awareness of the creation of 9-8-8, a 24/7, 3-digit crisis hotline. Letting every know that it is the gateway to any crisis system and is a core service that should be available in every community.
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Local communities must ensure that crisis services are available to respond when people need in-person help and intensive services in the community.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after exposure to a potentially traumatic event that is beyond a typical stressor. Events that my lead to PTSD include, but are not limited to, violent personal assaults, accidents, combat, sexual violence, natural or human caused disasters, traumatic exposure to something immoral or violent. Being exposed to events like these are common and about half of ALL US adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives; however, most do not develop PTSD.
PTSD in Veterans
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People who have served in the military are more likely to develop PTSD than the general population of civilians.
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An estimated 7% of veterans will have PTSD at some point in their lives, compared with 6% of the general population.
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Military deployment increases the risk of PTSD, with some studies finding PTSD is three times more likely in veterans who deployed when compared with those who did not.
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Research shows that veterans who use Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare are more likely to have PTSD than those who don’t. One study found 23% of veterans using VA care had PTSD at some point, compared with 7% of veterans who don’t use the VA for healthcare.
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Out of 6 million veterans who served in the 2021 fiscal year, about 10% of men and 19% of women were given a PTSD diagnosis.
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Of veterans who served during the Iraq war in the operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, 29% had PTSD at some point in their lives.
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Of veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War, 21% had PTSD at some point in their lives.