Mental Health Awareness Month 2026: Over a Third of Americans Plan Mental Health Resolutions
More than a third of Americans planned a mental health-related New Year's resolution for 2026, according to the American Psychiatric Association's Healthy Minds Poll. The figure marks a 5 percent increase from the previous year. The trend is strongest among adults aged 18 to 34, with 58 percent in that group making mental health a priority.
More than a third of Americans planned a mental health-related New Year's resolution for 2026, according to the American Psychiatric Association's Healthy Minds Poll.
The figure, 38 percent, marks a 5 percent increase from the previous year. The trend is strongest among adults aged 18 to 34, with 58 percent in that group making mental health a priority. By comparison, only 11 percent of adults aged 65 and older made similar resolutions.
May 2026 is Mental Health Awareness Month. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed the month in a formal declaration, highlighting that 1 in 5 adolescents experience a serious mental health disorder. The state also launched Michigan.gov/WorkplaceMentalHealth, a centralized hub for workplace mental health resources.
APA President Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., said the growing focus on mental health reflects a broader understanding of how daily habits affect emotional well-being. She pointed to regular physical activity, mindfulness, adequate sleep, time in nature, and therapy as key strategies.
Despite the positive trend, anxiety remains widespread. The poll found that 59 percent of Americans are concerned about personal finances, 53 percent feel uncertain about the coming year, and 49 percent are worried about current events.
The psychiatric community is also exploring significant changes in how mental health conditions are diagnosed, with discussions underway about incorporating biomarkers into future versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
