Mental Illness in US Adults

Millions of US adults are living with varying degrees of mental health conditions, and many need access to appropriate services. Based on the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, here is a look at the number of adults who faced a mental illness in the past year, by age, and how many reported needing mental health services:

Mental Illnesses Among Adults the Past Year

Adults Ages 18-25

  • Any mental illness: 7,635,000 (22.1%)
    • Serious mental illness: 2,035,000 (5.9%)
    • Other mental illness: 5,600,000 (16.2%)
  • No Mental Illness: 26,935,000 (77.9%)

Adults Ages 26-49

  • Any mental illness: 20,903,000 (21.1%)
    • Serious mental illness: 5,279,000 (5.3%)
    • Other mental illness: 15,624,000 (15.8%)
  • No mental illness: 79,237,000 (78.9%)

Adults Ages 50+

  • Any mental illness: 16,114,000 (14.5%)
    • Serious mental illness: 3,047,000 (2.7%)
    • Other mental illness: 13,067,000 (11.8%)
  • No mental illness: 94,709,000 (85.5%)

Mental Health Conditions Facing Adults

Adults Ages 18-25

  • Had major depressive episode: 3,705,000 (10.9%)
  • Had serious thoughts of suicide: 3,022,000 (8.8%)
  • Had serious psychological distress: 3,828,000 (11.1%)

Adults Ages 26-49

  • Had major depressive episode: 7,236,000 (7.4%)
  • Had serious thoughts of suicide: 4,173,000 (4.2%)
  • Had serious psychological distress: 5,731,00 (5.8%)

Adults Ages 50+

  1. Had major depressive episode: 5,284,000 (4.8%)
  2. Had serious thoughts of suicide: 2,634,000 (2.4%)
  3. Had serious psychological distress: 3,652,000 (3.3%)

Perceived Unmet Need of Mental Health Services for Adults with a Mental Illness

Adults Ages 18-25

  • Total Number of adults with mental illness: 7,635,000
  • Adults with mental illness with unmet need: 2,464,000 (p. 2678)
  • Estimated Percentage: 32.3%*

Adults Ages 26-49

  • Total Number of adults with mental illness: 20,903,000
  • Adults with mental illness with unmet need: 4,797,000
  • Estimated percentage: 22.9%*

Adults Ages 50+

  • Total Number of Adults with Mental Illness: 16,114,000
  • Adults with Mental Illness with Unmet Need: 1,978,000
  • Estimated Percentage: 12.3%*

*Estimated percentage derived from a comparison between the estimated number of adults who reported any mental illness over the past year with the estimated number of adults with mental illness who reported having an unmet need for mental health services the past year.

Source: 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2016/NSDUH-DetTabs-2016.pdf