Prevalence of Serious Mental Illness Among U.S. Adults by Age, Sex, and Race

While mental disorders are common in the United States, their burden of illness is particularly concentrated among those who experience disability due to serious mental illness (SMI). The data presented are from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which defines SMI as:

• A mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders)
• Diagnosable currently or within the past year
• Of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)
• Resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities