Mental Health America releases analysis of its 2023 online mental health screens; U.S. sees continued rise of anxiety, psychosis and ADHD risk
May 01 2024 - 6:00AM
More than 6.5 million people worldwide in 2023 took a mental health
screening test through the Mental Health America (MHA) online
Prevention and Screening Program, with 79% of users located in the
U.S. scoring positive for moderate to severe symptoms of a mental
health condition. Rates of anxiety and risk for psychosis remain
higher than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the ADHD screen
overtook depression to become the most widely taken screen of
2023.MHA is releasing this data in conjunction with the beginning
of Mental Health Month in May, which it established 75 years ago to
promote mental health and well-being through awareness and
education. This year’s theme, “Where to Start: Mental Health in a
Changing World,” and accompanying resources focus on how external
factors, such as society, politics or the economy, can make seeking
help for a mental health condition even more overwhelming.People
who screened at risk for mental health conditions are struggling
most with body image or self-image and relationship problems,
according to the data. Among those who screened positive or
moderate to severe for a mental health condition in 2023, 58% cited
body image or self-image as one of the top three reasons
contributing to their mental health concerns, followed by 49%
reporting relationship problems and 47% reporting school or work
problems.Youth continue to show worrisome signs of suicidal
ideation, with 49% of screeners under the age of 18 reporting
frequent suicidal ideation on more than half or nearly every day of
the previous two weeks. LGBTQ+ youth who identified as “other” race
were most likely to report suicidal ideation at 64%.Screening data
further reveal that people taking the ADHD screening tend to be
slightly older than the general screening average, with 64% of ADHD
screeners over the age of 18 compared with 59% of overall screeners
over 18. Even so, ADHD screeners under 18 show the highest signs of
severity, with 88% of youth taking the screens scoring at risk.“We
are in a mental health crisis – one that disproportionately affects
youth and BIPOC communities,” said Schroeder Stribling, president
and CEO of Mental Health America. “And it can be difficult to know
where to start when it comes to taking care of your own well-being
– especially in the rapidly changing world around us, with so many
external factors beyond individual control. Our online Prevention
and Screening Program is a good first step for millions of people
each year who are seeking to understand and improve their own
mental health.”
Started 10 years ago, MHA’s Prevention and Screening Program is
a collection of free, anonymous and clinically validated screening
tools, with 11 tests in English and two in Spanish. Since 2014,
more than 25.6 million people have taken a screen to check on their
mental health concerns online, making this program the nation’s
largest ongoing, real-time mental health early identification
program.MHA has a new, free downloadable toolkit with resources to
help individuals and organizations promote awareness during Mental
Health Month, including DIY tools, social media assets, templates
and printable handouts. In addition, its “Where to Start” book,
which helps individuals struggling with mental health find
direction and resources, is now out in paperback form.Other notable
2023 screening trends include:
- Overall, 36% (201,497) of individuals who took the depression
screen reported frequent suicidal ideation in 2023.
- Rates of suicidal ideation for all Black, Indigenous and people
of color were higher than rates for white screeners; 40% of BIPOC
screeners reported frequent suicidal ideation, as opposed to 33% of
white screeners.
- Rates of those at risk for psychotic experiences have continued
to increase compared with pre-pandemic rates, growing from 73% at
risk in 2019 to a staggering 80% in 2023.
Read the full analysis here.
###About Mental Health
America
Mental Health America is the nation’s leading community-driven
nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being,
resilience, recovery, and closing the mental health equity gap.
Mental Health America’s work is driven by its commitment to promote
mental health as a critical part of whole person health, including
prevention services for all; early identification and intervention
for those at risk; and integrated care, services and supports for
those who need them. Learn more at MHAnational.org.
Kara Rowland
Mental Health America
703-797-2588
krowland@mhanational.org