Originally published by our sister publication Pharmacy Practice News

During 2022, almost 23.1% of adults suffered any mental illness, and 19.5% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years suffered a major depressive episode, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2022-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases).

Suicidal ideation was high with one in 20 adults, aged 18 years and older, having serious thoughts of suicide (5.2%), 1.5% making a suicide plan and 0.6% attempting suicide in the past year. More than one in eight adolescents 12 to 17 years of age had serious thoughts of suicide (13.4%), one in 15 made any suicide plans (6.5%) and nearly one in 25 attempted suicide in the past year (3.7%).

These are among the statistics from a new report that measured the mental health of people living in the United States, who reported their experience with mental health, substance use and treatment behaviors in 2022. 

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) has been conducted each year by the federal government since 1971. The NSDUH is a primary source of statistical information on self-reported substance use and mental health of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population in those who are 12 years of age and older. The NSDUH measures include use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco; substance use disorder and substance use treatment; major depressive episodes, suicidal thoughts and behaviors; and other symptoms of mental illness, mental health care, and recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.

“To tackle the behavioral health crisis in this nation, we need to fully understand the issues surrounding mental health and substance use, and the impact they have on people and communities,” said Deputy Secretary of Health Andrea Palm. “The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health allows us to follow an evidence-based path forward as we provide support for those struggling with substance use and work to build healthier futures.”

The 2022 NSDUH report includes the following key findings:

  • Among people who were 12 years of age and older, 59.8% (or 168.7 million people) used tobacco products, vaped nicotine, used alcohol or used an illicit drug in the past month.
  • 70.3 million people 12 and older (24.9%) used illicit drugs in the past year, with marijuana being the most used drug by 22% of those 12 and older (or 61.9 million people).
  • 48.7 million people 12 and older (17.3%) had a substance use disorder in the past year.
  • 59.3 million adults (18 and older)—almost one in four adults—had any mental illness in the past year.
  • 4.8 million adolescents (aged 12-17 years), or 19.5%, experienced a major depressive episode in the past year.
  • 13.2 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide, 3.8 million people made a suicide plan and 1.6 million attempted suicide in the past year.
  • 3.4 million adolescents had serious thoughts of suicide, 1.7 million made a suicide plan and 953,000 attempted suicide in the past year.

Millions of people 12 and older received mental health treatment in the past year, either as professional counseling, medication or other treatment by various means, including through telehealth, prison, jail or juvenile detention center, as well as through outpatient treatment. Support services from a support group or peer support specialist, as well as services delivered through an emergency department, were not classified as mental health treatment.

The report provides nationally representative data about the nation’s mental health to enable researchers, clinicians, policymakers and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. 

“The data released today is crucial for informing our policies, protocols and understanding of our nation’s health,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, PhD, the leader of SAMHSA. “This important work better situates policy makers, researchers, practitioners and the general public to understand the collective behavioral health needs across the country and anticipate the needs of future generations.”

Help is available for anyone who is struggling or in crisis: Text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health or drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. To locate a treatment facility or provider, go to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).