American Adults Witness a Psychological Turmoil
Nearly nine in ten grown-ups admit to seeing a mental health crisis unfolding in the United States. A KFF/CNN survey asked Americans to rate the gravity of six psychological health problems, with the opioid epidemic taking the top spot. Over two-thirds of those polled classified it as a crisis rather than an issue. Half saw severe psychological problems in children and adolescents, with persistent mental health disorders among adults emerging as a crisis as well.
The survey gathered data from 2,000 adults nationwide this summer, nearly three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing threats to public health, including racism and gun violence. This widespread concern is warranted and stems from both personal experiences and nationwide trends.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified numerous social stressors we know exacerbate drug abuse and mental illness," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show that drug overdose fatalities hit a record level in 2021 and suicide rates returned to near historic highs after two years of decline. Suicide attempts among 12- to 17-year-olds surged by 31% in 2020.
More than half of adults report experiencing a severe mental health crisis within their family, including personal therapy for a family member who poses a threat to themselves or others, or exhibits aggressive behavior.
Over one in five adults label their mental health status as "fair" or "poor," with many younger adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those earning less than $40,000 annually falling into this category. One-third admit to having constant anxiety throughout the past year, with more than half of LGBTQ+ individuals and those under 30 reporting the same. Nearly one in five adults admit to frequently or constantly feeling depressed or lonely in the past year.
Stressors for around one-third or more adults include personal finances and current political events. A quarter of adults cite relationships and work as primary stressors.
Approximately one in five adults sought psychiatric help last year, with published CDC data supporting this finding, showing a significant increase in psychotherapy during the pandemic. Nearly 22% of adults received psychiatric care in 2021, up from roughly 19% in 2019.
"Perhaps one of the few positive aspects of this pandemic and the changes our country is undergoing is that we've become more willing to acknowledge and speak about our problems, or seek help when needed," said Sarah Brummett, executive director of the National Action Coalition on Suicide Prevention.
"People are more willing to roll their sleeves up, talk about it, and support each other. I think that's progress."
Despite increased public willingness and widespread stressors, most adults with average or poor mental health report reluctance to discuss these issues with their loved ones – some out of concern for privacy, others to avoid discussing mental health struggles. The stigma and shame that often accompany such issues remain prevalent.
However, a vast majority (over four-fifths) of respondents believe that individuals and families should play a crucial role in addressing mental health crises in the U.S., with the same number echoing views by healthcare providers.
Experts say this serves as an opportunity to broaden understanding of how mental health is intertwined with overall physical health and how to approach mental health crises.
"Not everyone is a cardiologist, but many people have some level of education in mental health," said Justin Baker, a psychologist and assistant professor at Ohio State University College of Medicine. "By relying solely on mental health professionals, we're just spinning our wheels and won't make real progress. I think we believe it's our only problem."
However, groups most likely to report needing mental health care also report least frequently accessing it.
Almost six in ten adults who rate their mental health as poor or fair admit to not being able to obtain the care they need, and about half of adults under 30 and LGBTQ+ individuals report the same.
The most common reasons for not receiving help are being too busy or unable to take time off, being unable to afford the care, and feeling anxious or ashamed to seek medical help.
In his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden outlined a "multi-track" strategy to address the nation's mental health crisis, including goals to integrate mental health into primary care, invest in workforce development, and provide new programs for mental health treatment. "Let's provide mental health care to all Americans who need it, improve access to help, and achieve full equality in both physical and mental health care," he said in a March speech.
Surveys show a majority of Americans view these issues as major challenges. A majority (55%) considers the lack of mental health providers to be a significant problem, and around three-quarters see it as a substantial challenge that health insurance companies do not provide adequate coverage for both physical and mental health and that mental health care costs are high.
Since taking office, the Biden administration has allocated 5 billion dollars to mental health and substance abuse programs through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with future budgets earmarking additional billions. This summer, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline transitioned to a three-digit hotline: 988. Preliminary data suggest success, with calls increasing by 45% in the first month compared to the previous year.
However, recent findings show there's still much work to be done.
An overwhelming majority (85%) of adults say they would at least partially seek out a hotline in a mental health crisis, offering a promising alternative to the 911 emergency line. In particular, Black and LGBTQ+ individuals report that psychological crises do more harm than good.
The hotline could help Hispanics and uninsured individuals, who report high occurrences of not knowing who to call or where to find help when experiencing a mental health crisis.
However, more than half of adults report having heard nothing about the new 988 hotline.
"This could likely be a preventable public health issue, and we all have a role to play," said Brummett.
