Mental health disorders affect thousands of Pennsylvanians every year, with rising rates among both adults and youth. This fact sheet presents verified data on the prevalence, age of onset, suicide risk, ethnic disparities, and access to treatment for mental health conditions across the state. Understanding these statistics helps guide policy decisions, improve services, and support affected individuals.
Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders in Pennsylvania
- According to a report by Mental Health America 2023, Pennsylvania ranked 20th in the U.S. for the prevalence of adult mental illness in 2022, indicating a moderate overall burden.
- According to a study by America’s Health Rankings titled “Annual Report on Behavioral Health,” published in 2023, 19.3% of adults in Pennsylvania reported depression in 2023, marking a 4% rise from 2022.
- According to a report by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute titled “County Health Rankings & Roadmaps,” published in 2023, there are 225 mental health providers per 100,000 residents in Pennsylvania, higher than the national median of 211.
- According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health titled “Mental Illness Statistics,” published in 2022, 1 in 5 Pennsylvanians aged 18+ had a diagnosed mental health disorder in 2021, aligning with national prevalence levels.
- According to a study by the National Center for Health Statistics titled “Chronic Conditions and Mental Health,” published in 2023, 35.6% of Pennsylvania adults with mental illness in 2022 also had a chronic physical health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease..
- According to a study by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health titled “Mental Health Workforce Distribution,” published in 2023, rural counties in Pennsylvania had 41% fewer mental health resources than urban areas in 2023, including providers and clinics.
- According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s 2023 Community Health Assessment Report, Philadelphia County recorded over 94,000 adult depression cases in 2023, the highest volume in the state.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2021 to 2023:
- 22.8% of adults in Pennsylvania experienced a mental illness in 2022, equating to approximately 1.83 million residents.
- 7.8% of Pennsylvania adults experienced a serious mental illness in 2022, affecting an estimated 626,000 people.
- 15.4% of adults reported unmet mental health care needs in 2021, mainly due to cost, stigma, and provider shortages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2022 and 2023:
- 10.1% of Pennsylvanians reported frequent mental distress in 2022, defined as 14+ mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
- In 2023, 18.5% of adults in Pennsylvania experienced generalized anxiety disorder, mirroring national levels.
- Women in Pennsylvania were 1.7x more likely than men to report depression symptoms in 2022 across both urban and rural areas.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health 2022:
- Over 2.3 million adults in Pennsylvania reported poor mental health in 2022, citing stress, trauma, and life disruption.
- Berks County saw a 25% increase in adult mental health diagnoses between 2019 and 2022, driven by post-pandemic trauma.
Youth Mental Health Disorder in Pennsylvania
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2022:
- 15.6% of adolescents in Pennsylvania aged 12–17 had a major depressive episode (MDE) in 2022, affecting approximately 143,000 youth.
- 61.2% of Pennsylvania adolescents with MDE in 2022 did not receive treatment, equating to over 87,000 youth.
- 8.4% of Pennsylvania adolescents had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in 2022, involving functional decline in school or relationships.
- 4.2% of adolescents in Pennsylvania experienced serious thoughts of suicide in 2022, representing over 38,000 young people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019 and 2021:
- 42.1% of Pennsylvania high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021, lasting more than two weeks.
- 18.6% of Pennsylvania high school students seriously considered suicide in 2021, while 8.9% attempted it.
- 11.8% of Pennsylvania teens missed school due to mental health concerns in 2022, up from 7.9% in 2019.
According to a report by Mental Health America titled “State of Mental Health in America,” published in 2023:
- Pennsylvania ranked 29th in the U.S. for overall youth mental health in 2022, based on prevalence and access.
- 9.2% of youth aged 12–17 in Pennsylvania had private insurance that did not cover mental health services, limiting treatment access.
According to a study by America’s Health Rankings titled “2023 Health of Women and Children Report:
- 18.2% of adolescents in Pennsylvania were diagnosed with anxiety in 2023, showing a 6-point increase from 2020.
- 16.3% of youth reported symptoms of depression in 2023, with the majority left undiagnosed.
According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education titled “Special Education Statistical Summary,” published in 2023, services increased by 11% since 2020:
- 6.7% of public school students in Pennsylvania received Individualized Education Program (IEP) services for emotional disturbance in 2022, covering anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders.
- School mental health referrals increased by 21% statewide between 2019 and 2022, particularly in districts serving low-income families.
According to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s 2021 PAYS Report, stressors included grades, family instability, and peer pressure:
- 34.6% of 10th graders in Pennsylvania felt “chronically stressed” in 2021, while 28.1% of 12th graders reported poor sleep due to worry.
- 1 in 5 Pennsylvania students in grades 6–12 reported needing mental health support but not receiving it in 2021, due to stigma or lack of services.
Onset of Mental Health Disorder in the U.S.
- According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health titled “Mental Illness: Facts and Statistics,” published in 2022, early intervention is critical to reduce long-term impact; 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
- Anxiety disorders have a median onset age of 11, while mood disorders tend to appear later, around age 30.
- According to the NIMH publication titled “Child and Adolescent Mental Health,” published in 2022, more than 1 in 3 children diagnosed with anxiety disorders develop symptoms before age 10.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2023:
- Among youth aged 12–17 in the U.S., 17.3% had a major depressive episode in 2022, with increasing trends since 2018.
- 11.5% of U.S. adolescents with a major depressive episode had their first episode before age 14, and 45.2% before age 16.
- 10.6% of adolescents with early-onset depression developed co-occurring anxiety disorders, impacting school functioning.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled “Children’s Mental Health: Facts,” published in 2022,
- boys are more likely to receive diagnoses before age 10.
- 1 in 6 children aged 2–8 in the U.S. has a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
- Only 20% of children with diagnosable mental disorders receive adequate treatment annually.
According to a report by Mental Health America titled “Youth Screening Data Snapshot,” published in 2023:
- 71% of the youth in the U.S. who screened positive for depression in 2023 had symptoms for more than a year before seeking help.
delayed help-seeking worsens outcomes. - 91% of youth with major depressive symptoms reported moderate to severe impairment in daily functioning.
Mental Health Disorder and Suicide Risk
- According to a report by Mental Health America titled “2023 Youth Data Insights,” published in 2023, 91% of youth who screened positive for depression and anxiety in 2023 reported frequent thoughts of self-harm or suicide, yet fewer than 30% had received counseling.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2022, responsible for 48,183 deaths.
- 90% of individuals who die by suicide have an underlying mental health condition, including mood, psychotic, and substance-related disorders.
- Youth suicide rates increased by 36.7% nationally between 2018 and 2022, with the steepest rise among teens aged 15–19.
- In 2022, 6.1% of adults in Pennsylvania seriously considered suicide, and 1.7% attempted it.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
- 46% of people who died by suicide had a known mental health diagnosis at the time of death, and 27% had a substance use disorder.
- Among youth aged 12–17 with depression, 19.2% reported suicidal thoughts, and 11.3% created a suicide plan in 2022.
- LGBTQ+ youth are more than 4x as likely to attempt suicide as their non-LGBTQ+ peers, with depression as the primary driver.
According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health titled “Suicide and Depression,” published in 2022:
- Major depressive disorder is present in 60% of suicide deaths, with risk increasing during untreated episodes.
- Bipolar disorder increases suicide risk by 15–20x compared to the general population, especially during depressive or mixed states.
According to a report by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
- Men aged 35–54 had the highest rates
- In 2022, Pennsylvania recorded 1,672 suicide deaths, equating to a rate of 12.6 per 100,000 residents.
- Firearms were used in 54% of suicide deaths in Pennsylvania in 2022, the most common method.
Mental Health Treatment in Pennsylvania
- According to a report by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps titled “2022 State Report – Pennsylvania,” published in 2022, Pennsylvania has a mental health provider ratio of 350:1, indicating one provider per 350 residents
- According to an article by Axios titled “How Allegheny County rates in health outcomes,” published in 2025, Allegheny County reports one mental health provider for every 210 residents, surpassing the state average.
- According to a press release by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs titled “Pennsylvania Ranked as One of Top 10 States for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment Access and Investments,” published in 2024, Pennsylvania ranks among the top 10 states for substance use disorder and mental health treatment access and investments as of January 2024
- According to a report by America’s Health Rankings titled “Explore Mental Health Providers in Pennsylvania,” published in 2024, as of September 2024, Pennsylvania had 300.8 mental health providers per 100,000 population, ranking 30th nationally.
- According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the state has implemented initiatives to enhance mental health services, including the establishment of the 988 suicide hotline.
According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled “Pennsylvania 2023 Uniform Reporting System Mental Health Data,” published in 2023:
- Approximately 524,876 individuals received mental health services in Pennsylvania in 2023, representing a penetration rate of 40.46 per 1,000 population. This rate surpasses the national average of 24.50 per 1,000 population.
- The state allocated $5.2 billion to mental health expenditures in the fiscal year 2023, with 92% directed toward community-based services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are the Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Pennsylvania?
According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled “Behavioral Health Barometer: Pennsylvania,” published in 2023, the most common mental health disorders in Pennsylvania include major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Depression and anxiety together accounted for over 60% of reported adult diagnoses in 2022.
2. How Prevalent Is Depression Among Pennsylvania Residents?
According to a study by America’s Health Rankings titled “Annual Report on Behavioral Health,” published in 2023, 19.3% of adults in Pennsylvania reported a clinical diagnosis of depression in 2023. This reflects a 4% increase compared to 2022, with higher rates among women and individuals aged 18–34.
3. How Common Is Anxiety Disorder In Pennsylvania?
According to a data brief by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled “Anxiety and Depression Household Pulse Survey Findings,” published in 2023, 18.5% of Pennsylvania adults showed symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder in 2023. Anxiety remains among the earliest onset and most persistent mental disorders in the state.
