Gallup Poll: Americans’ self-diagnosis of their mental health is at all-time low

Americans are rating their mental health at an all-time low, particularly among young adults, according to a new poll released Wednesday.

Overall, 31 percent of respondents said their mental health or emotional well-being was “excellent” and 44 percent said their mental health was “good.” 17 percent considered their mental health to be only “fair” and 7 percent said it was “poor.”

Adults ages 18-34 had the worst mental health out of any age group with 27% saying their mental health is only “fair” and 19% saying it is “poor.”

In 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, 85% of Americans described their mental health as good or excellent.

Meanwhile, 23 percent of Americans are also seeing mental health professionals at almost double the rate (13 percent) they were in 2004.

Gallup found that higher household income is commonly associated with higher levels of happiness. While 87% of people in households making over $100,000 a year say they have excellent or good mental health, only 65% of people in homes making less than $40,000 a year said the same.

The Gallup poll was conducted with 1,020 U.S. adults from Nov. 9-Dec. 2 and has a margin of error of 4%. Gallup has conducted an annual mental health survey since 2001.