In recent years, many people have experienced poor mental health, with over 30% of adults in the United States reporting symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in February 2023. Substance use and death rates due to substances have also worsened in the U.S. – drug overdose death rates increased by 50% from 2019 to 2021 (21.6 vs. 32.4 per 100,000), primarily driven by fentanyl. Further, after a brief period of decline, suicide death rates increased in 2021 but remained just below the peak death rate in 2018 (14.1 vs. 14.2 per 100,000). Increases in drug overdose deaths and suicide deaths have disproportionately affected many people of color. Negative mental health and substance use outcomes have also affected youth and young adults. This increase in mental health and substance use issues comes at a time when resources are already strained, and people with mental health diagnoses often face barriers to care. Among adults with symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder in 2022, over 20% report needing, but not receiving, mental health counseling or therapy.
In the state fact sheets below, we examine state and national-level data on mental health and substance use. We find that mental health and substance use outcomes and coverage vary from state to state.
Share of Adults With Symptoms of Anxiety and/or Depression, February 1 – 13, 2023
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
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