A Promise Hill Reference
Updated August 18, 2026
Faith, connection, and mental health in the U.S.
This collection brings together current, citable public data about mental health, social connection, prayer, and support. It is designed as a starting point for writers, helpers, and anyone trying to understand the wider need with care.
Read With Care
Numbers can show the scope, but not a person's whole story.
Mental health, faith, and belonging are deeply personal. These figures describe large U.S. populations and survey responses, not what any one person is experiencing or what kind of support they need.
Promise Hill shares them to make thoughtful conversations easier, while keeping room for prayer, trusted relationships, counseling, medical care, and other forms of support.
U.S. Statistics
Ten figures worth keeping close.
Each statistic links directly to the report or data page behind it, with the source date included for context.
61.5M
U.S. adults experienced mental illness in the past year
That was 23.4% of adults age 18 and older in 2024.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 202514.6M
U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness
That was 5.6% of adults age 18 and older in 2024.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 202559.2M
U.S. adults received mental health treatment
That was 23.0% of adults in 2024, including counseling, medication, or other care.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 20253.8M
Adolescents had a major depressive episode
In 2024, 15.4% of U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17 reported a major depressive episode in the past year.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 202518.8%
Of adolescents had moderate or severe anxiety symptoms
The 2024 survey measured symptoms during the prior two weeks among U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, July 202514.3M
Adults seriously thought about suicide
In 2024, 5.5% of U.S. adults reported serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 202548,824
Suicide deaths were recorded in the U.S.
The CDC reports this total for 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 202544%
Of U.S. adults say they pray daily
Pew's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study found daily prayer has remained near this level since 2021.
Source: Pew Research Center, February 26, 202519%
Of U.S. adults join a prayer or scripture-study group at least monthly
The figure includes prayer groups, scripture-study groups, and religious education programs.
Source: Pew Research Center, February 26, 202529%
Higher heart-disease risk is associated with poor social relationships
The Surgeon General's advisory cites research connecting loneliness, social isolation, and poor social support with higher health risk.
Source: Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, May 2023Faith and Connection
Support can take more than one form.
Pew found that 62% of U.S. adults identified as Christian in its 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study. Prayer and faith communities remain meaningful parts of many people's lives, while the data on mental health also points to the importance of qualified care and real human connection.
No single practice, relationship, or resource is a substitute for professional support when it is needed. The purpose of these figures is to make room for honest, compassionate conversations about the many ways people seek help and hope.
Read the Pew Religious Landscape Study ↗Methodology and Sources
Where these figures come from.
This page uses public reports from U.S. health agencies and a nationally representative research study. We use the most recent figure available in each source as of August 18, 2026.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (July 2025)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Suicide Data and Statistics (2025)
- Pew Research Center, Prayer and Other Religious Practices (February 26, 2025)
- Pew Research Center, Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off (February 26, 2025)
- Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (May 2023)
Cite This Page
Use a stable link to the statistic you reference.
Suggested citation: Promise Hill. “Faith, Connection, and Mental Health Statistics.” Updated August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026. For individual figures, link to the matching statistic above and its original source.
Need Immediate Support?
In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 911 or local emergency services. This page is informational and is not medical advice.
Visit 988 Lifeline ↗A Gentle Next Step
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