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2021 trends report

The national mental health crisis

Psychologists must act now to help people who need it and prevent a much more widespread crisis

APA Style leaf logo Cite This Article in APA Style
American Psychological Association. (2021, January 1). The national mental health crisis. Monitor on Psychology, 52(1). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/01/trends-national-crisis

older man with glasses wearing a non-medical mask

APA’s 2020 Stress in America survey released in October revealed that Americans have been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to cope with the disruptions on top of other factors creating stress, including political conflict, the impact of racism, and an economic downturn. The combination of these compounding stressors and the persistent drumbeat of an ongoing public health emergency has prompted APA to sound the alarm on a growing mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.

Read the full report and learn ways to help at Stress in America.

How are Americans feeling?

Nearly 78% of adults say the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their life. 63% of adults say the economy is a significant source of stress, which is nearing levels reported during the 2008 recession (69%). 59% of adults, regardless of race, report that police violence toward minorities is a significant source of stress in their lives. 33% cite discrimination as a significant source of stress in their lives. Gen Z adults ages 18–23 are the most likely age group to report experiencing common symptoms of depression, with 75% noting that in the prior 2 weeks they felt so tired that they sat around and did nothing. 51% of Gen Z teens ages 13–17 say the pandemic has made planning for their future feel impossible. Despite these numerous stressors, 71% of Americans say they feel hopeful about their future.

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