A series of Pew Research Center surveys from February 2024 to October 2025 found that 22% of U.S. adults rated their mental health as fair or poor, with adults younger than 30 reporting the lowest mental health ratings among all age groups.
Here are four things to know:
- Adults younger than 30 were four times as likely as adults 65 and older to rate their mental health as fair or poor (36% versus 9%)
- Around one-third of lower-income adults (32%) described their mental health as fair or poor, compared with 19% of middle-income adults and 13% of upper-income adults.
- One-third of adults (36%) said they are putting “a lot” of effort into maintaining their mental health, while 49% said they are putting in “a little” effort.
- Around 52% of teens ages 13-17 said they would feel extremely or very comfortable talking with a parent about their mental health, compared with 48% who said the same about a friend and 31% about a therapist.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
