In 2022, the United States reached a tragic milestone: more Americans died by suicide than in any previous year. This somber statistic, highlighted in a recent report from Mental Health America (MHA), underscores the growing mental health crisis in America. The findings, based on federal data, reveal a national emergency fueled not only by personal struggles but also by systemic failures in access to mental health care.
“We are living in a time of polycrisis,” said Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America. “Evidence shows that the need for mental health care is urgent.”
Indeed, Americans are not just grappling with mental illness in isolation; they’re doing so amid overlapping social, economic, and healthcare disruptions. The demand for support is surging, but millions still face insurmountable barriers to getting the help they need.
Record Suicides: A National Red Flag
2022 marked the deadliest year on record for suicide in the United States. It’s a stark indicator of widespread suffering, but also of a system that continues to fall short in responding to the mental health crisis in America. While awareness of mental illness is growing, and conversations around it are becoming more open, access to actual care is not keeping pace.
From high-profile national tragedies to the quiet struggles in everyday communities, the statistics reveal a devastating reality. And it’s not just adults — youth mental health indicators are rapidly worsening, too. This marks a significant facet of the mental health crisis in America that cannot be ignored.
Access Denied: Insurance, Costs, and Stigma
A major theme in the MHA report is lack of access. Financial strain and insurance gaps continue to block millions of people from care.
- Over 10% of American adults with a mental illness — nearly 6 million people — do not have health insurance.
- Nearly a quarter of adults who experience 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month say they cannot afford to see a mental health professional.
- This number has increased by 2% compared to the previous year, indicating worsening affordability and accessibility.
On top of that, stigma and personal beliefs continue to act as invisible barriers. The report found that over 75% of American adults with a substance use disorder (SUD) who considered treatment chose not to pursue it — simply because they believed they should be able to handle their condition on their own.
This perception of needing to “tough it out” or “go it alone” has real consequences. When paired with systemic challenges like high costs and limited insurance coverage, it becomes a deadly combination in the ongoing mental health crisis in America.
Shortage of Clinicians: A System Under Strain
Even when individuals are ready to seek help, the care may not be there. The United States continues to face a severe shortage of mental health professionals, which is exacerbating the mental health crisis in America.
- Nationally, there is just 1 mental health provider for every 340 Americans.
- More than 122 million people live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas.
- In these regions, 73% of mental health care needs are going unmet.
That means even those who can afford care and want it may face long waitlists, provider deserts, or providers who do not take insurance — all of which can derail treatment before it ever begins. This systemic issue is a key factor fueling the mental health crisis in America.
The Promise of Peer Support
One innovative and increasingly popular solution is peer support. These are trained individuals with lived experience of mental illness or substance use who provide support and guidance to others on similar journeys. Peer specialists are uniquely equipped to connect with people through shared understanding, and they can play a vital role in recovery, especially when traditional clinical care is unavailable.
According to the MHA report, peer support is not only effective but also cost-efficient and scalable. This model has drawn growing interest from investors and healthcare innovators:
- In June 2023, Marigold Health, a virtual peer-based provider focused on SUD, raised $11 million.
- In November 2023, Forum, a digital peer support platform, secured $5.3 million in seed funding.
Yet even this promising workforce faces obstacles. Many peer support specialists do not earn a living wage. To stabilize and grow this vital sector, the report urges states to raise reimbursement rates and better support peers in the behavioral health workforce, helping to address the mental health crisis in America.
Youth in Crisis: The Next Generation at Risk
Perhaps the most alarming data in the MHA report concerns youth mental health. A growing number of children and teens are experiencing serious behavioral health issues — and they are not getting the help they need.
- 13% of youth ages 12–17 reported having serious thoughts of suicide.
- 1 in 5 youth experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year.
- Of those who experienced such an episode, more than half did not receive any treatment.
- Among those who did get care, only 65% said the treatment helped.
This indicates not only a lack of access but also inconsistent quality in the treatment young people are receiving. In response, several companies are stepping up to offer digital and virtual care tailored to young people:
- In April 2023, Bend Health, a virtual pediatric mental health startup, expanded to offer services to patients up to age 25.
- Talkspace, a leading online therapy platform, launched its NYC Teenspace program in November, offering free therapy check-ins for teens.
- In December, Talkspace expanded to Baltimore County Public Schools, reaching over 32,000 students with free services.
- In June, the founder of Headway, a patient-matching platform for therapists, launched Marble, a youth-focused virtual therapy provider that promises appointments within four days and accepts all insurance.
These efforts mark a shift in how care is being delivered — more digitally, more accessibly, and more directly to the populations that need it most. Yet, they only scratch the surface of addressing the larger mental health crisis in America.
Which States Are Leading — and Lagging?
The MHA report also ranks states based on 15 factors, including mental illness prevalence and access to care. At the top:
- Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine ranked as the best for mental health care access and outcomes.
At the bottom:
- Montana, Arizona, and Nevada had the poorest scores.
- Nevada ranked last, largely due to high rates of youth behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders, major depression, and low insurance coverage.
These rankings reveal the vast disparities in mental health care based on geography — disparities that too often mean the difference between getting help and falling through the cracks. The unequal distribution of resources is a major factor in the mental health crisis in America.
The Path Forward: Solutions Must Be Scaled
The data from 2022 is clear: America is in a mental health crisis. But there are also reasons for cautious optimism. New models of care, such as virtual therapy, peer support, and youth-specific platforms, are emerging rapidly — and receiving investment, attention, and results.
Still, without addressing the root barriers — affordability, provider shortages, stigma, and uneven access — these innovations alone won’t be enough.
A nationwide, multi-layered approach is needed:
- Expand insurance coverage and mental health parity enforcement.
- Invest in the mental health workforce, including both licensed clinicians and peer specialists.
- Integrate mental health care into primary care and schools.
- Support digital health innovation, especially for underserved populations.
Final Thoughts
The mental health crisis in America is not a distant issue — it’s happening right now, with real people suffering every day. The record-breaking suicides in 2022 are not just statistics; they represent lives lost, families broken, and potential unfulfilled. As the demand for mental health care continues to climb, the urgency to fix the system cannot be overstated.
The solutions are within reach. But to truly meet the moment, we must treat this crisis with the seriousness it demands — and the compassion it deserves.
