Key Takeaways

• Mental Health in America has been declining since 2020. 
• One major cause is the unaddressed psychological strain the Covid-19 pandemic left.
• Another cause is our need for support and community, which remains unmet. 

Why is Mental Health Declining?

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, most people in America place their stress at a 5 on a scale of 1-10, and 24% rate it at an 8 or above, up from the 2019 average measuring the same. 

America’s mental health has been declining for decades, but recent events have seemed to expedite that decline. Why? The APA found that collective trauma may be to blame. The study, titled “Stress in America 2023: A Nation Recovering from Collective Trauma”, was released in November 2023 and looks at mental health before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The picture the statistics paint is one of lonely individuals looking for community and greater mental health support. 

Here is a summary of the findings and what it means for the future of mental health care.

Chronic Stress and Collective Trauma

As documented by numerous studies, chronic stress can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health. When left unchecked, chronic stress results in:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• digestive issues
• Headaches
• muscle tension
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• Strokes
• Sleep problems
• weight gain
• memory loss
• difficulty concentrating

Although there have always been reasons for stress—from finances to relationship issues—the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our society has become a chronic stressor. It has been nearly 4 years since the beginning of the pandemic and our society has yet to recover from it psychologically. APA researchers have found “mounting evidence that our society is experiencing the psychological impacts of a collective trauma.”

Collective trauma is society’s psychological reaction to a shared traumatic experience. In his academic article “Collective Trauma and the Social Construction of Meaning”, Gilad Hirschberger calls collective trauma a “cataclysmic event that shatters the basic fabric of society. Aside from the horrific loss of life, collective trauma is also a crisis of meaning.”

Since 2020, rates of diagnosed mental health conditions have increased. The APA study found that rates of people with diagnosed mental health conditions experienced a 5% point increase from pre-pandemic levels. (They were 37% in 2023). The most common of which were anxiety (24%) and depression (23%). 

Lack of Human Connection

Despite the widespread mental health crisis of recent years, many people feel more isolated than ever. According to the study:

• 63% of adults said they don’t talk about their stress because they don’t want to burden others.
• 67% of adults believe their problems aren’t bad enough to be stressed about. 

• 61% of adults said people around them just expect them to get over their stress
• More than two in five adults feel like no one understands what they’re going through. 
• Half wish they had someone to turn to for advice or support. 
• Nearly half (47%) of adults wished they had someone to help them manage their stress. 

According to the CDC, support from loved ones and feeling connected to our community (such as through school, neighborhood, or other social and religious institutions) are protective factors against mental illnesses and suicide. This means that feeling supported by your community lowers your risk of a mental illness. 

Lack of Access to Mental Health Therapy

Finally, there is a disparity between the amount of mental health help that we need and the amount we are getting. Only half of the people who struggle with their mental health will ever receive treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

According to the APA study, this is partly because of our beliefs surrounding mental health therapy. When asked why people don’t receive mental health treatment, the most common answers were: 

• 40% believe therapy doesn’t work.
• 39% cite lack of time.
• 37% don’t have robust enough insurance. 

This is concerning for a multitude of reasons. For one, 82% of adults aged 18 to 34 cited health and money as the biggest source of stress in 2023. “Health-related” broke down into family-related, physical health, and mental health, and amongst those categories, mental health was the most significant stressor at 72%. Mental health was also the highest health stressor amongst other age groups. 

Secondly, studies have repeatedly shown us that talk therapy works. It is effective in treating mental health issues such as:

• Chronic stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Trauma
• Grief

And many more; this is not an inclusive list. 

Although finances may still be a barrier for many, the mental health world is reforming to make room for people who may not have insurance or can’t afford copay prices. For example, with the recent surge in online therapy, clients can find more affordable therapy quickly. Additionally, widespread insurance reforms for mental health have made therapy more accessible to everyone by requiring insurance companies to cover mental health therapy.

Mental health practices are also working to change their approach. Daniel Belcher, the CEO of  the leading online mental health practice Lifebulb, says “We can’t achieve true health and happiness without taking care of our minds. Mental health is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. At Lifebulb, we are on a mission to make mental health a priority for everyone, providing the tools and resources to overcome challenges and live our brightest lives.”

How Can We Improve Mental Health?

In the face of these statistics, the outlook of America’s mental health can look grim. But we have the tools we need to start making positive changes. The first step is to start talking about it. Most people struggle with their mental health in some capacity, but many are struggling in silence. By raising awareness, we are shining a light on this issue. 

The second step is to reach out to our community. Feeling loved, supported, and cherished is an intrinsic part of our health and wellness. In order for us to feel fully supported, we have to talk about what’s bothering us. 

Everyone faces unique challenges, and some may encounter more difficult times than others. It’s important to remember that pain is pain, and if you’re going through a tough time, you deserve the support, companionship, and love that can help you navigate it. 

One way to start is by reaching out to the people closest to you. Consider making a list of these individuals and invite them out for a coffee or have a heartfelt conversation over the phone. During this conversation, be honest and open about your struggles with mental or physical health. You might be surprised to hear their support and to find that they can relate to some of the challenges you’re facing.