Mental Health Statistics in New York

New York State faces a complex mental health landscape, with a significant portion of its population experiencing mental illness. While the state has been recognized as a national leader for its policy reforms and investments^[9], various reports provide a nuanced picture of its standing. For instance, Mental Health America ranked New York 22nd overall in 2023^[10], while other rankings place it differently depending on the metrics used. Understanding these figures is the first step toward addressing the needs of New Yorkers and improving the overall system of care.

Key indicators such as the prevalence of any mental illness (AMI), serious suicidal thoughts, and specific disorders like anxiety and PTSD provide a comprehensive overview of the state's mental health status. These statistics help policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities identify areas of greatest need and allocate resources effectively to support vulnerable populations.

Access to mental healthcare is a critical component of a functioning public health system, but many New Yorkers face significant hurdles. These challenges include a shortage of mental health professionals, long wait times, and insufficient inpatient capacity. According to SAMHSA, New York ranks 28th out of 51 for access to care^[7]. The state has approximately 15,000 licensed psychiatric hospital beds^[17], but high occupancy rates of 85%^[17] suggest the system is often strained. This strain is reflected in ED boarding times for psychiatric patients, which averaged about 6 hours in 2021^[17].

Even with insurance, accessing mental healthcare can be difficult due to parity violations, where insurers impose stricter limitations on mental health benefits than on medical care. New York has strong parity laws, but enforcement remains a challenge. Data reveals significant disparities in how mental and medical health claims are handled, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs and barriers to receiving necessary treatment. These inequities disproportionately affect those who can least afford it, creating a cycle of untreated illness and economic hardship.

Mental health conditions do not affect all New Yorkers equally. Significant disparities exist across racial, ethnic, age, and income groups. For example, in the first half of 2024, nearly one in four Hispanic adults (25.3%) reported poor mental health symptoms^[30]. Young adults aged 18-34 also report symptoms of anxiety and depression at nearly double the rate of those 65 and older^[30]. These differences are often driven by social determinants of health, including systemic inequities, economic stress, and cultural barriers to care.

New York's veteran population of approximately 1.2 million faces unique and profound mental health challenges stemming from combat exposure, trauma, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life^[32]. Conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorder are significantly more prevalent among veterans than in the general population. While New York has made strides in improving access to VA services, with 45% of eligible veterans utilizing them^[33], the high rates of suicide and other adverse outcomes underscore the urgent need for continued support and specialized care.

The mental health of young people in New York is a pressing issue, with data showing high rates of distress among high school and college students. In New York City, a concerning number of high schoolers report persistent sadness, yet schools are often under-resourced to meet their needs. More than 70% of NYC schools do not meet national standards for social worker staffing^[5]. On college campuses, demand for mental health services has surged, leading to increased wait times and a greater reliance on telehealth solutions. These challenges highlight the need for greater investment in school-based mental health infrastructure to provide early and effective support.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the mental health of New Yorkers, with symptoms of anxiety and depression peaking in early 2021. At its height, approximately 40.2% of residents reported poor mental health symptoms^[30]. Since then, there has been a significant recovery, though rates have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of telehealth, which has become a permanent fixture in the state's mental healthcare delivery system, with utilization for mental health services tripling and sustaining through 2023^[35].

Beyond race and ethnicity, mental health prevalence and access to care also vary significantly by age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Young adults consistently report higher rates of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to older populations^[30]. Similarly, women report higher rates of anxiety than men. Economic instability is a major driver of mental distress, with low-income New Yorkers experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression at nearly double the rate of their high-income counterparts.

New York's young people are facing a significant mental health crisis, a trend that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. High school and college students report high levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. While there has been a recent slight decrease in severe depressive symptoms among college students nationally, from 23% in 2022 to 18% in 2024-2025^[36], the demand for on-campus services continues to surge. Schools are a critical access point for care, yet many are under-resourced, lacking the necessary number of social workers and counselors to meet student needs.

New York is home to approximately 1.2 million veterans, a population that faces unique and significant mental health challenges stemming from their service^[32]. Veterans experience higher rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorder compared to the general population. While New York has made strides in connecting veterans to care, with higher-than-average utilization of VA services, the severity of outcomes, particularly the high rate of suicide, underscores the urgent need for continued and enhanced support for this community.

As New York's population ages, the mental health of older adults becomes an increasingly important focus. This demographic faces unique risk factors, including social isolation, grief, and the cognitive and physical declines associated with aging. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia are prevalent and often go underdiagnosed. For instance, approximately 22% of New Yorkers aged 65 and older suffer from depression, a rate higher than the national average of 19%^[38]. Addressing these issues is vital for ensuring the well-being and quality of life for the state's senior citizens.

The mental health landscape in New York has been dynamic, particularly in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. The state saw a dramatic spike in symptoms of poor mental health, which peaked in early 2021. Since then, there has been a significant recovery, with prevalence rates dropping considerably by mid-2024^[30]. This period also saw transformative shifts in how care is delivered, most notably a massive increase in the adoption of telehealth services.

In response to the growing mental health crisis, New York State has launched significant initiatives aimed at expanding capacity and improving the continuum of care. A landmark $1 billion investment announced by Governor Hochul is funding the expansion of psychiatric beds, community-based services, and innovative treatment teams^[41]. These efforts are designed to address critical gaps in the system, from inpatient capacity to crisis response and outpatient support, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to bolster the state's mental health infrastructure.

Measuring outcomes is essential to evaluating the effectiveness of the mental health care system. In New York, the suicide rate provides a stark indicator of the most severe outcomes. The state's overall suicide rate is lower than the national average, a positive sign, but significant disparities remain, particularly between rural and urban areas and for specific populations like veterans^[30]. Beyond this, metrics like treatment recovery rates, hospital readmissions, and patient satisfaction offer a broader view of how well the system supports individuals on their path to recovery.