Harbor Stats

The Calm by the Numbers

Sometimes peace begins with understanding. These statistics reveal how widespread mental health challenges are — and how mindfulness, connection, and care can change everything.

Last updated:

Table of Contents

1. Mental Health Overview 2. Anxiety & Stress 3. Depression 4. Mindfulness & Meditation 5. Journaling & Self-Reflection 6. Prescribed Medications & Cannabis 7. Sleep & Rest 8. Exercise & Wellness 9. Therapy & Counseling 10. Relationships & Connection 11. Digital Life & Screen Time 12. Global Outlook & Hope

1) Mental Health Overview

Definitions: Any Mental Illness (AMI) = any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. Serious Mental Illness (SMI) = a disorder that substantially interferes with major life activities.

  • 59.3 million U.S. adults (23.1%) experienced AMI in 2022. (NIMH)
  • 15.4 million (6.0%) had SMI in 2022; the highest prevalence is in ages 18–25. (NIMH)
  • Globally, mental disorders affect ~1 in 8 people; depression alone affects ~280M. (WHO)
  • The first year of COVID-19 saw a ~25% rise in anxiety and depression prevalence worldwide. (WHO)
  • In the U.S., suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in 2022. (CDC)

Back to top ↑

2) Anxiety & Stress

Definition: Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, and related conditions marked by excessive fear or worry.

  • ~19.1% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder each year (women 23.4%, men 14.3%). (NIMH)
  • APA tracking shows persistently high stress since 2020, with rising diagnoses among working-age adults. (APA – Stress in America)
  • Workplace stress is estimated to cost U.S. employers $300B+ annually in absenteeism and lost productivity. (APA)
  • Chronic stress elevates cortisol and is linked to sleep problems, hypertension, and immune impacts. (Harvard Health)
  • NHIS shows a notable share of adults reporting anxiety/depression symptoms post-2019. (CDC NHIS)

Back to top ↑

3) Depression

  • 21.0M U.S. adults (8.3%) had a major depressive episode in 2021; higher among females. (NIMH)
  • Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, impacting ~280M people. (WHO)
  • 80–90% of people with depression respond well to treatment (therapy/medication/combined). (APA)
  • Regular physical activity is associated with a significant reduction in depression risk/severity. (NIH)
  • Depression frequently co-occurs with anxiety, sleep disorders, and substance use disorders. (NIMH)

Back to top ↑

4) Mindfulness & Meditation

Definition: Mindfulness = intentional, non-judgmental attention to the present moment. Common programs: MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy).

  • U.S. adult meditation use rose from 4.1% (2012) to 14.2% (2017). (CDC NHIS Data Brief 325)
  • MBSR can reduce anxiety/depression symptoms; in one RCT, effects were comparable to first-line medication. (JAMA Psychiatry 2022)
  • Mindfulness is linked with brain changes in attention/emotion regions. (Harvard/MGH MRI study)
  • Workplace mindfulness correlates with lower burnout and improved emotion regulation. (APA)
  • Meta-analyses support mindfulness for stress reduction and quality of life. (Cochrane Review)

Back to top ↑

5) Journaling & Self-Reflection

Back to top ↑

6) Prescribed Medications & Cannabis

Definitions: Antidepressants treat depressive/related disorders. Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) = a problematic pattern of cannabis use leading to impairment/distress. Risk varies by dose, potency, age of first use, and vulnerability.

  • 13.6% of U.S. adults used an antidepressant in the past 30 days (2015–2018); women 17.7%, men 8.4%. (CDC NCHS Data Brief 377)
  • Antidepressant use has increased substantially since 1999 across age groups. (CDC NCHS Data Brief 283)
  • Co-prescribing benzodiazepines + opioids elevates overdose risk; careful monitoring is recommended. (JAMA Internal Medicine)
  • About ~19% of U.S. adults used cannabis in 2021 (~52.5M people). (SAMHSA NSDUH)
  • Roughly 3 in 10 users develop CUD. (CDC)
  • Daily/high-potency use is associated with higher odds of psychotic disorders; incidence varies by city/potency. (Lancet Psychiatry 2019)
  • In a 2024 primary-care sample, 76% of cannabis users reported medical/mental health reasons (pain, sleep, anxiety). (JAMA Network Open 2024)

Back to top ↑

7) Sleep & Rest

  • Adults need 7–9 hours, yet ~1/3 report insufficient sleep. (CDC)
  • Short or poor-quality sleep is strongly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms. (NIH/PMC review)
  • Brief mindfulness practices can improve sleep onset and overall sleep quality for many adults. (Sleep Foundation)
  • ~70M Americans live with chronic sleep problems. (CDC)

Back to top ↑

8) Exercise & Wellness

  • 150 minutes/week of moderate activity is associated with lower anxiety and depressive symptoms. (CDC Physical Activity)
  • Exercise may help prevent depression and is effective as an adjunct treatment. (Scientific Reports (NIH))
  • Yoga interventions reduce perceived stress and improve mood in multiple trials. (Cochrane)
  • Time in nature is associated with lower cortisol and improved affect/creativity. (Frontiers in Psychology)

Back to top ↑

9) Therapy & Counseling

  • 41.7M U.S. adults received mental health services in 2022 (medication and/or therapy). (CDC Data Brief 419)
  • CBT is strongly evidence-based for anxiety/depression, with substantial symptom reductions. (NIMH)
  • Tele-therapy usage expanded dramatically since 2020, improving access for many. (APA)
  • Combined approaches (therapy + medication + mindfulness/skills) often yield the most durable gains. (APA)

Back to top ↑

10) Relationships & Connection

  • Loneliness is associated with higher mortality risk; social connection is protective. (CDC; Psychiatric Times)
  • Harvard’s 80+ year study: close relationships predict happiness and health. (Harvard Study of Adult Development)
  • Volunteering/helping others is linked to better mood and lower depression risk. (BMC Public Health)
  • Supportive communities (online or in person) can buffer stress and improve coping. (APA)

Back to top ↑

11) Digital Life & Screen Time

  • Heavier social media use is associated with increased anxiety/depressive symptoms in youth. (JAMA Pediatrics)
  • Reducing evening screen time can improve sleep quality and next-day mood. (Sleep Foundation)
  • Short “digital detox” periods are linked to reductions in perceived stress for many participants. (Frontiers in Psychology)
  • Mindful tech habits (timers, app limits, intentional breaks) support attention and well-being. (APA)

Back to top ↑

12) Global Outlook & Hope

  • In many low-income countries, ~75% of people with depression receive no care due to access barriers. (WHO mhGAP)
  • Global investment and policy attention on mental health have grown meaningfully since 2015. (Lancet Commission)
  • Regular mindfulness, gratitude, or journaling practices correlate with higher resilience and life satisfaction. (UC Berkeley GGSC)
  • Community-level supports (schools, workplaces, clinics) measurably improve outcomes when consistently funded. (WHO Mental Health Atlas)

⚓ Why It Matters

Behind every number is a person — a heartbeat, a story, and a reminder that peace is possible. Statistics don’t define us; they reveal how connected we are in our search for calm.

Mind Harbor Wellness was built for that connection — a quiet space in a noisy world, where information and compassion meet.

Anchor your mind. Find your harbor. Weather life’s storm.

Back to top ↑

Top ↑