Most Americans Sense Dramatic Rise in Mental Health Issues: Survey

More than 80 percent of American surveyed noted a significant rise in mental health issues affecting the country.

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Americans share a bleak outlook on how the U.S. health care system treats mental health issues, with more than 80 percent recognizing a dramatic rise in mental health issues over the past five years, according to results of a new survey.

Additionally, three-quarters of Americans feel mental health conditions are identified and treated more poorly than physical health conditions. When it comes to how well the United States manages mental health conditions, one-quarter of Americans gave the nation’s health care system a failing grade, while just 1 percent said it deserved an A grade.

The statistics come from the West Health–Gallup survey, which paints an unflattering portrait of how the American health care system treats those suffering from mental health problems. The survey was conducted between Feb. 2 and Feb. 14, surveying 2,266 adults 18 and older.

“Many Americans struggle with mental and behavioral health conditions that often go unaddressed in the context of treating and managing other medical conditions,” Timothy Lash, president of nonprofit West Health, focused on American health care and aging, said in a press release. “Health systems, providers, caregivers and patients themselves need to pay just as much attention to mental health as they grow older as they do their physical health. The two are inextricably linked and critical to overall health, aging successfully and quality of life.”

Depression is more common in individuals who have other illnesses, so this becomes even more of a concern as people age. About 80 percent of older adults diagnosed with depression have at least one chronic health condition, and 50 percent have two or more, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.

According to the survey, 51 percent of Americans say they have experienced depression, anxiety, or some other mental or emotional condition in the past year. The group includes roughly 22 percent who say the condition was so significant that their regular, everyday routines or activities were disrupted, disabling them from going to work or maintaining their household responsibilities.

Aging Population May Not Seek Help

The survey showed that a higher proportion of older respondents—82 percent versus 75 percent—believed that mental health issues were not treated as they should be in the United States. The finding is especially troubling since, for the first time, the country will be home to more people 65 and older than children by 2030.

“There are still sizable numbers of people not getting the treatment they need—a situation that may only worsen as the population ages,” Mr. Lash said.

Many within this population, the survey found, struggle with the perceived social stigma around mental illness, which can prevent people from seeking professional help. Seventy-five percent of older adults who have dealt with a mental health condition in the past year reported that societal stigma has prevented them from seeking help. This was the highest percentage among all age groups.

Why the Gap Between Mental and Physical Health Care?

Over half of those surveyed believe psychological counseling can be an effective treatment for mental health issues, and 35 percent find prescription medication can be effective, too.

However, many say treatment access is the tricky part. More than half of the survey’s respondents (52 percent) said that affordability is the top barrier to finding good mental health care, followed by being able to find a provider (42 percent). While treating mental health problems is becoming more mainstream and socially acceptable, more than one in four Americans still feel shame or embarrassment about seeking treatment, while just under 25 percent believe treatment wouldn’t help anyway. Another 28 percent think they can deal with their condition on their own.

These issues haven’t gone unnoticed by the White House. According to a 2023 press statement, the Biden administration says, “Too many Americans still struggle to find and afford the care they need.” The administration pointed out that a 2020 survey revealed that, of the 21 percent of people who struggled with a mental illness, less than half sought care for it.

In the press release, Mr. Lash said, “Effective approaches, including integrated and person-centered models of behavioral health that deliver services through clinics or community-based organizations” are needed, which can be leveraged to “ensure people are able to get the care they need when and where they need it.”