Fact Check: "1 in 5 U.S. adults under 45 experienced mental distress in 2022."
What We Know
The claim that "1 in 5 U.S. adults under 45 experienced mental distress in 2022" can be partially validated through various sources. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, which encompasses a wide range of conditions. Specifically, in 2022, the prevalence of any mental illness (AMI) among U.S. adults aged 18 and older was reported at 23.1%, equating to approximately 59.3 million adults.
Further breaking this down by age, the National Health Statistics Reports indicated that during 2022, around 18.2% of adults aged 18 and older experienced symptoms of anxiety, while 21.4% reported symptoms of depression. This suggests that a significant portion of younger adults, particularly those under 45, likely experienced mental distress, aligning with the claim.
Analysis
The claim's accuracy hinges on the definition of "mental distress." The term can refer to a broad range of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. The data from the National Health Statistics Reports indicates that the combined percentage of adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression exceeds 20%, which supports the idea that a substantial number of adults under 45 experienced mental distress.
However, the data does not specifically isolate the age group under 45, making it difficult to conclusively state that exactly "1 in 5" adults under that age experienced mental distress. The reported prevalence of AMI is higher among younger adults aged 18-25 (36.2%) and those aged 26-49 (29.4%) according to the NIMH, which suggests that the claim could be an approximation rather than an exact statistic.
The reliability of the sources used is high, as both the NIMH and the National Health Statistics Reports are reputable organizations that utilize rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data. However, the claim's wording could be misleading without proper context regarding the specific age group and the types of mental distress being referenced.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "1 in 5 U.S. adults under 45 experienced mental distress in 2022" is partially true. While data supports that a significant number of adults under 45 experienced symptoms of mental distress, the exact figure of "1 in 5" is not explicitly confirmed for this specific age group. The broader statistics indicate that a substantial portion of younger adults does experience mental health issues, but the claim lacks precision regarding the age range and definitions used.
Sources
- Mental Illness - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Link
- National Health Statistics Reports Link
- Mental Health Treatment Among Adults Aged 18–44 Link
- Statistics - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Link
- Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and ... Link
- Mental Health By the Numbers Link