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In the United States, the prevalence of mental illness in the past year is more common among females than males and more common among the young than the old. As of 2024, some 26.7 percent of females reported some type of mental illness in the past year, compared to 20 percent of males. Common forms of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. 

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. Depression is defined by prolonged feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair leading to a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, a loss of energy, trouble sleeping, and thoughts of death or suicide. It is estimated that around five percent of the U.S. population suffers from depression. Depression is more common among women with around six percent of women suffering from depression compared to four percent of men.

Mental illness and substance abuse

Data has shown that those who suffer from mental illness are more likely to suffer from substance abuse than those without mental illness. Those with mental illness are more likely to use illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, and to abuse prescription drugs than those without mental illness. As of 2023, around 7.9 percent of adults in the United States suffered from co-occuring mental illness and substance use disorder.