Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction Mental health crises—including suicidal thoughts and other acute psychological distress—are pressing public health concerns in the United States. However, little is known about how many people experience a crisis, who is most affected, or what services they seek. Methods We analyzed nationally representative data from wave 6 of the CLIMB study, collected March 27 – April 30, 2025(N=1,916). We estimated past-year prevalence of self-reported mental health crises, identified demographic and clinical correlates, and examined help-seeking behaviors and barriers to care. Results Nearly one in ten adults (8.9%) reported a mental health crisis in the past year. Prevalence was highest among adults aged 18–29 (15.1%) and among Black (11.8%) and Hispanic (10.5%) individuals. Mental health crises were more common among those with probable depression (22.4%), PTSD (22.4%), or housing instability (37.9%). Among those who sought help (72.6%), some contacted the 988 hotline (17.5%) and fewer used a mobile crisis team (9.9%); most relied on health care providers (53.2%) or family and friends (39.8%). Conclusion Mental health crises are common but often go unaddressed by formal services. Expanding public awareness and improving access to timely, trusted support remain key challenges.
Source: Health Affairs Scholar
Authors: Andrew Anderson, Matthew Eisenberg, Alene Kennedy-Hendricks, Brian C Castrucci, Sandro Galea, Catherine K Ettman
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,150
OpenAlex ID: W4413348191