TL/DR –
A Gallup poll reveals a record low of Americans rate their mental health as “good” or “excellent,” with those considering their mental health as “excellent” falling below 30% for the first time. Experts believe this decline may be due to increased cultural openness about mental health struggles and the trauma and uncertainty brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors such as political and economic instability. The poll also reveals that traditionally higher self-rated mental health groups, such as college-educated adults and Republicans, have seen a more significant decline, effectively aligning their mental health ratings more closely with their counterparts.
Gallup Poll Reveals Record Low Mental Health Ratings Among Americans
Fewer Americans than ever before rate their mental health as “good” or “excellent”, as shown by a recent Gallup poll. The percentage of respondents who rated their mental health as “excellent” has fallen below 30% for the first time, with overall “good” or “excellent” ratings dropping to a record low of 72%.
COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health
This downward trend began following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to 2020, over 42% of Americans consistently rated their mental health as “excellent”. But while these declining figures are worrying, experts say there are positive elements to the shift.
Increased Awareness and De-stigmatization of Mental Health Issues
David Radley from the Commonwealth Fund, and Dr Lisa Rosenthal, a psychiatry professor at Northwestern University, agree that people’s growing willingness to discuss their mental health struggles shows a decreased stigma and increased awareness of psychiatric symptoms.
The Role of Social Media in Mental Health Recognition
Social media content about conditions like bipolar disorder, complex PTSD, autism, and ADHD has helped many adults understand that their lifelong difficulties could be related to treatable mental health issues. A white paper from non-profit Fair Health confirms a dramatic increase in mental health diagnoses since 2019, some of which could be pandemic-related.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Factors on Mental Health
Despite the decreasing stigma, Radley and Rosenthal concur that the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, political uncertainty, and economic instability have significantly affected Americans’ mental wellbeing.
Changes in Mental Health Perceptions Across Different Social Groups
The Gallup poll also showed that self-reported mental health declined more among traditionally higher self-rated groups, such as college-educated adults and Republicans. This has led to a more equal distribution of mental health ratings across different social groups.
The Current State of Mental Health among Americans
Rosenthal suggests that, along with uncertainty and polarization, increased disconnection is contributing to the decline in mental health. The increased alignment in mental health outcomes despite growing polarization indicates that negative circumstances are affecting people indiscriminately, according to Radley.
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