What’s the injustice?

Americans of all ages increasingly face mental health challenges. Meanwhile, support is limited.

Throughout U.S. history, horrific practices such as institutionalization, forced sterilization, and physical harm have been inflicted upon those suffering from mental health conditions. Although much progress has been made to de-stigmatize mental health, many who are suffering continue to lack adequate support.

The statistics emphasize the mental health epidemic. More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. And about 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this already existing issue. While the country has recovered in many ways, Americans are still reeling from lost employment and decreased human interaction. Further, anxiety, stress, and depression rates in adults have risen by 25 percent, and continue to increase.

The pandemic-driven increase in mental health issues have also impacted children. U.S. News reports that child suicide rates have doubled in the past 10 years, which is the second leading cause of death among people from 10-14, and third among those aged 15-24 in the US. According to UCLA Health, almost 20 percent of U.S. high school students have reported serious thoughts of suicide. Eating disorders, anxiety, and depression are also on the rise among kids and teens, according to NAMI. 

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