Mental Health Awareness Month 2026: Only 29 Percent of Adults Rate Their Mental Health as Excellent
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and new data shows Americans' self-assessments of mental health have hit a record low. A December 2025 survey found only 29 percent of U.S. adults rated their mental health as excellent, down from 43 percent before the pandemic. State mental health spending reached $61.4 billion in 2024.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the numbers behind it are sobering.
A December 2025 West Health-Gallup survey found that only 29 percent of U.S. adults rated their mental health or emotional well-being as excellent. Before the pandemic, that figure was 43 percent. The decline has continued despite record levels of mental health treatment, public engagement, and spending.
State mental health spending reached $61.4 billion in 2024. Yet the gap between need and effective care remains wide.
More than 137 million Americans live in areas with too few mental health providers, particularly in rural communities. Nearly half of adults who struggle with mental health do not receive any help. Stigma remains a major barrier, with many people fearing judgment if they seek treatment.
One positive trend: 42 percent of Gen Z adults are currently in therapy, a 22 percent increase from 2022. Mental health training programs for teenagers have also shown results, reducing stigma and helping young people identify warning signs in their peers.
The self-help book market is growing in response to the crisis. Grand View Research projects annual growth of more than 7 percent through 2030 as more Americans turn to personal development resources.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the state and launched Michigan.gov/WorkplaceMentalHealth as a resource hub for employers.
