Mental Health Treatment by Adults in the United States

Some of our adult patients may have a comorbid diagnosis of a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. Of these patients, some may have sought and/or be undergoing treatment. This may include counseling and/or the use of medications. Briones and Villarroel (2026) used data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey to evaluate the use of counseling services and prescription medication by US adults to address their mental health. They also evaluated the use of these treatment options by sex, age, level of urbanization, and family income.

Survey respondents were asked “During the past 12 months, did you receive counseling or therapy from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or clinical social worker?” These authors found that 14 percent of respondents had a positive report of such services. They also found the following: (1) The percentage of women who obtained counseling services was significantly greater than men; (2) The percentage of those who received counseling between the ages of 18–29 years and 30–44 years was significantly higher than those between 45–64 years, 65–74 years, and 75 years and older; (3) The percentage of those who used counseling services was significantly higher for those living in metropolitan areas (large, medium, and fringe) versus non-metropolitan areas; and (4) The percentage of those using counseling services was significantly greater for those whose income was less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and those whose income was greater than 400 percent FPL as compared to those whose income was in the middle.  

Briones and Villarroel (2026) used three questions to determine if a respondent had used medications for their mental health. A positive response to any of three was considered having taken prescription medication for their mental health. First, respondents who reported feeling “worried, nervous, or anxious” were asked if they took prescription medication. Second, respondents were asked how often they felt depressed and “Do you take prescription medication for depression?” Finally, those who did not already have a positive report of prescription medication use for their mental health were later asked, “During the past 12 months, did you take prescription medication to help you with any other emotions or with your concentration, behavior, or mental health?” Based on this, these authors found that 19.3 percent of respondents took medication for their mental health. They also found: (1) The percentage of women taking medication for their mental health was significantly greater than men; (2) The percentage of adults taking medication was significantly greater for those between the ages of 30–44 years as compared to those between the ages of 65–74 years and 75 years and greater; (3) The percentage of those taking medication increased by decreasing level of urbanization; and (4) The percentage of those whose who took medication was significantly higher for those whose family income was less than 100% of the FPL compared to those whose income was greater than 400 percent FPL.

Reference

Briones, E. M., & Villarroel, M. A. (2026). Mental health treatment among adults: United States, 2024. NCHS Data Brief. (564):1─11. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/252453