Researchers of a study surveying individuals aged 12 years and older across the United States revealed key insights into the prevalence of depression before the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which did not include the 2020 data in statistical trend analyses due to changes in data collection methods, found that in 2020, about 9.2% of Americans aged 12 years and above experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. Notably, depression rates were higher among young adults (17.2%) and adolescents (16.9%), while help-seeking behavior remained low.

The findings highlight a significant increase in depression across various groups in the United States, with no corresponding rise in the pursuit of treatment. The consistent prevalence of depression, especially in adolescents and young adults, underscores the need for urgent, comprehensive public health initiatives. The researcher’s conclusions call for a robust, multipronged public health campaign to address the mental health issues that have been growing since 2015 and were likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reference: Goodwin RD, Dierker LC, Wu M, Galea S, Hoven CW, Weinberger AH. Trends in U.S. Depression Prevalence From 2015 to 2020: The Widening Treatment Gap. Am J Prev Med. 2022;63(5):726-733. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.05.014.