May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: Nearly 1 in 4 Adults Struggle, Half Get No Help

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance started by Mental Health America in 1949 to reduce stigma and promote support for mental well-being.

New data shows the scale of the challenge. Nearly 1 in 4 adults in the United States struggle with mental health. Half of them do not get the help they need, largely because of a shortage of providers. More than 137 million Americans live in areas with a mental health provider shortage, with rural communities hit hardest.

"What's more telling is that half of them aren't getting the help that they need because we have a provider shortage," said Michalene, a licensed professional counselor. "Rural areas are impacted at an even greater rate."

One bright spot: younger generations are seeking help at higher rates. Forty-two percent of Gen Z adults are currently in therapy, a 22 percent increase from 2022.

The most common mental illnesses are depression and anxiety. Common signs include difficulty getting out of bed, changes in hygiene, and withdrawal from social settings. Counselors say stigma remains a major barrier to seeking care.

"There are still labels. There's still stigma and a fear of being crazy or being different," said a counselor at Be Inspired Counseling and Consulting. "Sometimes there's a fear of speaking up. A lot of times it's this belief that we have to tough it out. But in the long run, that just deteriorates our mental health more."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988.