SAMHSA releases new data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.

Key Takeaways

On July 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which provides data on rates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state and local level. The latest report highlights crucial data that can be used by researchers, clinicians, policymakers and the public as they work together to comprehend and address the ongoing mental health crisis in America. 

Key survey findings and data points

• Consistent with 2022 data, highlights and key findings include:
  Nearly 25 percent of adults (approximately 1 in 4) reported experiencing any mental illness (AMI) in 2023, with 25 percent experiencing a serious mental illness (SMI)
• 17.1 percent of the U.S. population, aged 12 or older, (approximately 48.5 million individuals) met the criteria for substance use disorder (SUD)
• 4.5 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 (18.1 percent) reported experience with major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year, with 856,000 having a co-occurring SUD

Additional key findings from the 2023 NSDUH include:

• Continued prevalence of opioid use disorder: In 2023, 8.9 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids. The percentage of those who misused opioids in the past year was highest among adults aged 26 or older (approximately 7.5 million people).
• Increasing trends in suicide attempts and deaths by suicide among adolescents: 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 (12.3 percent) have serious thoughts of suicide in 2023. Of those adolescents who had serious thoughts of suicide, nearly half made suicide plans or attempted suicide, or both.
• High rates of unmet needs among individuals identified as requiring substance use treatment: Among the 48.5 million people aged 12 or older who had a SUD in 2023 and were therefore classified as needing substance use treatment, 15.6 percent (7.1 million people) received treatment and 85.4 percent (41.1 million people) did not receive substance use treatment. Individuals aged 18 to 25 were the least likely to receive treatment out of all age groups. Common reasons for not receiving treatment include issues pertaining to substance use stigma, cost of treatment, lack of knowledge on resources and inadequate health insurance.
• Disparities in access to treatment: 2023 survey data found that White and Multiracial adults were more likely to receive mental health services in the past year than Black, Hispanic or Latino or Asian adults.

View the SAMHSA report

Impact on counties 

As the nation continues to address the persisting behavioral health crisis, NACo remains steadfast in advocating for the passage of key county priorities that will support our local behavioral health systems and provide greater pathways to treatment and recovery for those with mental illness and SUD. Key policy priorities to improve the nation’s mental health can be found in the final report from NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

Download the Mental Health Commission’s final report   Learn more about county priorities for behavioral health reform