Public reference

Mental health care statistics in the U.S.

A practical collection of current federal data on mental health, treatment and access to care. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Browse the statistics

A careful starting point

Numbers need their context.

Mental health data can help writers, educators and families understand the larger picture. It cannot describe any one person’s experience or decide what kind of care is right for them. This page collects recent, public data from federal sources and keeps the original source beside every figure.

For a more personal discussion of OCD therapy in Massachusetts, visit OCD therapy or contact Julie.

Key figures

Six statistics about mental health care and access.

58.7 million

U.S. adults had a mental illness in 2023.

That represents 22.8% of adults. The federal survey defines any mental illness as a diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorder, excluding developmental and substance-use disorders.

SAMHSA, 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Annual National Report, published July 30, 2024.

14.6 million

U.S. adults had a serious mental illness in 2023.

Of those adults, 71.1% received some form of mental health treatment in the prior year. The remaining 28.9% did not receive treatment in that period.

SAMHSA, 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Annual National Report, published July 30, 2024.

53.9%

Of adults with any mental illness, 53.9% received treatment in 2023.

Among the 27.1 million adults with any mental illness who did not receive treatment, 6.2 million sought treatment or thought they should get it.

SAMHSA, 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Annual National Report, published July 30, 2024.

31.3 million

U.S. adults received mental health treatment by telehealth in 2023.

That is 12.1% of all adults. Among adults with any mental illness, 33.7% received mental health treatment by telehealth.

SAMHSA, 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Annual National Report, published July 30, 2024.

14.0%

Of U.S. adults received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional in 2024.

The estimate includes care from psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and clinical social workers. The same report found that 19.3% of adults took prescription medication for mental health.

National Center for Health Statistics, Mental Health Treatment Among Adults: United States, 2024, published June 25, 2026.

169 million

People lived in a mental health professional shortage area as of December 2023.

This is more than half of the U.S. population. The designation reflects geographic, facility or population shortages, not a count of people who could not find care.

Health Resources and Services Administration, Behavioral Health Workforce, 2023, published December 2023.

Methodology and sources

How to use this page.

Each statistic is reported as published by its original federal source. The figures use different surveys, definitions and time frames, so they should not be added together or used as a measure of local availability. The source links open the underlying reports, where you can review each survey’s methods and definitions.

This reference is reviewed regularly. The next routine review is planned for November 2026, or sooner if a source releases a material update.

Cite this page

Julie Carmichael LICSW. “Mental Health Care Statistics in the U.S.” Updated October 14, 2026. https://juliecarmichaellicsw.com/mental-health-care-statistics

Looking for support?

Information can be a first step. You do not have to sort it out alone.

Julie offers evidence-based OCD therapy for adults in Massachusetts, with virtual sessions available statewide.

Schedule a consultation