Each year, the first full week in October has been designated as MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK to raise awareness, educate the public, fight stigma and help support children and adults living with a mental health condition. This year, the dates are October 6th through the 9th.
Here Are Some Statistics
- 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2018 (47.6 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
- 4.6% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2018 (11.4 million people). This represents 1 in 25 adults.
- 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
- 3.7% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2018 (9.2 million people)
Rates Of Mental Health Illnesses in the US
- Major Depressive Episode: 7.2% (17.7 million people)
- Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people)
- Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people)
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6% (estimated 9 million people)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2% (estimated 3 million people)
- Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4% (estimated 3.5 million people
Mental Illnesses Are Real Disorders
Mental health illnesses are real neurobiological disorders - and cannot be willed away, ignored or reduced with tough love or encouraging remarks by loved ones. Stigma prevents many children and adults from getting the care needed.
