Approximately 21 million Americans experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2020, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Here are four statistics to know about major depression in the U.S.:
1. Major depression was more common in women, with 10.5 percent reporting experiencing at least one major depressive episode, compared to 6.2 percent of men.
2. Depression is most common among adults ages 18 to 25. Among that age group, 17 percent reported experiencing at least one major depressive episode in 2020.
3. An estimated 14.8 million adults — 6 percent of the adult population — had at least one major depressive episode that severely impaired their functioning in 2020.
4. Approximately 17 percent of children ages 12 to 17, or 4.1 million individuals, had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.