A total of 11,265,000 of adults between 18 and 25 years old reported experiencing a mental illness in 2021, according to data published Jan. 4 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That figure represents 22.8 percent of those surveyed in that age group.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health asks U.S. adults and children 12 and older about their experiences with drug use and mental health and demographics such as gender, race, income and their access to care.
Here are 11 more statistics about mental illness and substance abuse in young adults from the survey to know:
- In the 18 to 25 years old age group, 6,983,000 women reported experiencing a mental illness, compared with 4,283,000 men.
- More full-time workers indicated they experienced a mental illness than those who work part time or are unemployed, with 4,129,000 full-time workers reporting a mental illness, compared to 3,092,000 of part-time workers and 1,174,000 unemployed respondents.
- Of the young adults who reported experiencing a mental illness, 33.5 percent lived in large metropolitan areas, 34.4 percent were from small metropolitan areas and 32.8 percent were from nonmetropolitan areas.
- Of the young adults who reported experiencing a mental illness in 2021, 3,822,000, or 11.2 percent, said they experienced a serious mental illness.
- A total of 4,508,000 of respondents indicated they experienced a mental illness with a co-occurring substance use disorder.
- Forty-four percent, or 26,502,000 of young adults surveyed, said they received mental health treatment.