US Adolescents’ Mental Health Treatment on the Rise

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Mental Health Treatment on the Rise Among US Adolescents

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that nearly one-third of adolescents in the United States received treatment for their mental health in 2023.

According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health for 2023, 31.9 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 underwent mental health treatment, which translates to approximately 8.3 million people. This marks a significant increase from the 7.7 million, or 29.8 percent, of adolescents who received mental health treatment in 2022.

The report found that outpatient treatment was the most common type of treatment, with 59.8 percent of those receiving mental health treatment opting for this option. About 14.2 percent of adolescents used telehealth services, while 13.9 percent were prescribed medication, and 3.5 percent were hospitalized.

One of the most notable trends in the report is the increase in medication use for mental health treatment, which rose from 12.8 percent in 2022 to 13.9 percent in 2023. However, the agency noted that this difference is not statistically significant.

The Mental Health Crisis Among Youth

The report’s findings come as a number of studies have highlighted the growing mental health crisis among youth in the United States. A KFF analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data published earlier this year found that half of people aged 18-24 reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression in 2023.

In response to these concerns, the Biden administration has invested millions of dollars into increasing accessibility to mental health counseling services. In addition, the administration has provided $285 million to help schools hire and train more than 14,000 mental health counselors.

What the Report Means for Youth Mental Health

While the report’s findings are encouraging, SAMHSA officials emphasized that there is still much work to be done to address the mental health needs of adolescents. "We think it’s a good thing that more people are accessing and connecting with mental health treatment," said Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. "Certainly, that has been a focus of the Biden-Harris administration to make treatment more accessible, to help people know that treatment and services and supports are available."

However, Delphin-Rittmon also stressed that the report highlights the need for continued efforts to address the mental health crisis among youth. "We must remain steadfast in our efforts to address mental health and substance use crises," she said.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the report from SAMHSA highlights the growing need for mental health treatment among adolescents in the United States. While there are encouraging signs that more young people are seeking help, there is still much work to be done to address the mental health crisis among youth. By increasing accessibility to mental health services and supporting young people in their mental health journeys, we can help ensure that they receive the support they need to thrive.

FAQs

Q: What percentage of adolescents received mental health treatment in 2023?

A: According to SAMHSA’s report, 31.9 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 received mental health treatment in 2023.

Q: What types of mental health treatment were most common among adolescents?

A: The most common types of mental health treatment among adolescents were outpatient treatment (59.8 percent) and telehealth services (14.2 percent).

Q: What is the Biden administration doing to address the mental health crisis among youth?

A: The Biden administration has invested millions of dollars into increasing accessibility to mental health counseling services and has provided $285 million to help schools hire and train more than 14,000 mental health counselors.

Q: What are the implications of the report for youth mental health?

A: The report highlights the growing need for mental health treatment among adolescents and emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address the mental health crisis among youth.