America’s 250th Birthday and the Growth of Psychiatry
Key Takeaways
- Epidemiologic burden remains high, with 21 million US adults experiencing major depressive episodes and meaningful population-level prevalence of PTSD and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
- Therapeutic innovation is accelerating, but responsible psychopharmacology increasingly requires structured deprescribing to mitigate polypharmacy, adverse effects, and long-term dependence risks.
New treatments, responsible deprescribing, and encouraging 988 gains reshape US mental health on our 250th anniversary.
This month marks the semiquincentennial of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. What a historic moment for the country, but also, I think, for psychiatry.
The field stands at the cusp of change. The psychopharmacology pipeline is ripe with possibilities. Yet there is a greater push for appropriate deprescribing practices, as our cover details.
Let’s look at a quick overview of where the nation’s mental health stands:
- Approximately 21 million adults in the United States had at least 1 major depressive episode, representing 8.3% of all adults.1
- Six out of every 100 people will have posttraumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives.2
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders impact 1.2% of US adults aged 18 to 65 years, or around 3.7 million people.3
As the numbers indicate, we certainly have our work cut out for us. But allow me to draw your attention to some other statistics:
- The number of youth dying by suicide has decreased 11% since the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022.4
- A poll conducted by the American Psychological Association discovered that 87% of American adults agreed that having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, and 86% said they believe that people with mental health disorders can get better.5
I am confident that through multidisciplinary care and collaboration, we can continue to tend to the mental health needs of this nation. Thank you for everything you do, and please let us know how we can further advance your clinical education. Email us at
Mike Hennessy Jr
Chairman and CEO, MJH Life Sciences
References
1. Major depression. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated July 2023. Accessed June 18, 2026.
2. How common is PTSD in adults? US Department of Veterans Affairs. Updated March 26, 2025. Accessed June 18, 2026.
3. Ringeisen H, Edlund MJ, Guyer H, et al. Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study: Findings Report. RTI International. 2023. Accessed June 18, 2026.
4. Barry E. Youth suicides declined after creation of national hotline. New York Times. April 22, 2026. Updated April 23, 2026. Accessed June 18, 2026.
5. Americans becoming more open about mental health. American Psychological Association. May 2019. Accessed June 18, 2026.
