Here are 10 statistics offering an overview of mental health, treatments and availability of behavioral health services in the U.S. in 2024:
1. The rate of drug overdose deaths has nearly quadrupled since 2002, according to data from the CDC. The rate of drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people was 32.6 in 2022, the most recent data available.
2. Behavioral health and addiction issues were among the top three concerns for hospital CEOs who were recently surveyed by the American College of Healthcare Executives. Within behavioral health and addiction issues, the lack of appropriate facilities and programs in the community was the top specific concern at 83%, and 77% of respondents identified lack of funding to address behavioral health and addiction issues as a top concern.
3. The number of medical school seniors matching into psychiatry residencies increased by more than 100 compared to 2023, according to data from the National Resident Matching Program. In 2024, 2,249 applicants were placed in 2,261 available psychiatry residency slots in 382 programs. The number of residency spots available in psychiatry increased by around 5% over last year.
4. The global mental health screening market is expected to hit $2.4 billion by 2032, according to market analysis from Polaris Market Research and Consulting. The report identified technological advances like telehealth, leading to a rise in demand for online screening tools, as one of the driving factors behind the market growth.
5. The number of mental health outpatient visits among youths increased from 8.9% to 16.9% between 2006 and 2019, according to a recent JAMA Network Open study. Mood disorders saw the largest increase, growing from 5.7% of outpatient visits in 2006 to 14% in 2019.
6. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration requested an $8.1 billion budget for 2025, an increase of $612 million compared to the 2023 budget. SAMHSA intends to use the funding on opioid response resources, community mental health services and expanding the 988 lifeline.
7. Newark, N.J., was found to be the city with the lowest suicide rates in the U.S. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Billings, Mont.; Juneau, Alaska; Rapid City, S.D.; and Casper, Wyo., were all tied for the city with the highest rates of suicide.
8. Washington, D.C., has the highest number of psychiatrists per capita, with 91.61 actively practicing psychiatrists per 100,000 people. Idaho has the least psychiatrists per capita, at 6.26 per 100,000.
9. North Dakota is the highest-paying state for psychiatrists, where clinicians earn $390,140 annually. By contrast, Hawaii is the lowest-paying state for psychiatrists, where they earn $131,480 each year.
10. The number of suicide deaths reached the highest recorded rate in 2022, the most recent data available. A total of 49,449 suicide deaths were recorded in 2022, 3% higher than in 2021, the CDC reported. The age-adjusted number of suicides in 2022 was 14.3 deaths per 100,000, the highest rate recorded since 1941.