A new survey has revealed a troubling milestone for the nation's wellbeing, with the proportion of Americans describing their mental health as positive hitting a record low. The latest Gallup poll, published on Thursday, indicates a significant shift in self-perception following the turbulence of recent years.
A Steady Decline in Self-Reported Wellbeing
The data shows a clear downward trend. For the first time, fewer than 30% of respondents rated their mental health as "excellent". Furthermore, the combined total of those describing their state as either "good" or "excellent" has also fallen to a new low of 72%. This marks a stark contrast to the period before 2020, when consistently 42% or more of Americans reported "excellent" mental health.
Experts point to the Covid-19 pandemic as a pivotal moment, after which these numbers began their sustained decline. Dr Lisa Rosenthal, a psychiatry professor at Northwestern University, suggests that while concerning, the figures may also reflect a positive cultural shift. "The numbers might be a signal that stigma is improving and people are more aware of psychiatric symptoms," she said.
Understanding the Complex Causes
David Radley, a senior scientist at the Commonwealth Fund, agrees that increased openness about mental health struggles likely plays a role, making people more willing to acknowledge difficulties. "In some ways, people acknowledging and being willing to talk about mental health struggles is actually a good sign," Radley noted.
However, the underlying causes are profound. Both Radley and Rosenthal concur that the collective trauma of the pandemic, compounded by ongoing political and economic uncertainty, has placed an enormous burden on the American psyche. A White Paper from the non-profit Fair Health confirms a dramatic rise in mental health-related diagnoses since 2019.
While conditions like generalised anxiety disorder may be linked to pandemic stress, others such as ADHD are understood to be lifelong. Increased social media discussion and diagnosis of conditions like bipolar disorder, complex PTSD, and autism has also led more adults to recognise long-standing struggles.
Shifts Across Demographic Groups
The Gallup poll uncovered surprising changes within demographic groups that have traditionally reported higher mental wellbeing. The decline was particularly sharp among college graduates and Republicans.
The number of college graduates rating their mental health as "excellent" plummeted by 17%, down to 36%, bringing them closer to their non-graduate peers (30%). Similarly, the proportion of Republicans reporting "excellent" mental health fell from 53% (2014-2019) to 40% (2020-2025), narrowing the gap with Democrats. This is notable as mental health ratings often correlate with which political party holds power.
Dr Rosenthal observed, "[College graduates'] mental health worsened more, but it made them more equal to people without a college education. I’m not sure what that signal means, but I think it means we’re all pretty unhappy." She also highlighted a broader societal malaise, citing a loss of civil discourse and community belonging. "There’s just so much anger... We can’t talk to each other," she added.
Despite increasing political polarisation, the poll suggests mental health outcomes are becoming more aligned across the population. David Radley summarised the pervasive sense of anxiety, stating, "A lot of shoes feel like they’re about to drop for a lot of people. I don’t think the shoes dropping discriminates."
The findings present a complex picture for public health officials: a nation more willing to discuss mental health, yet grappling with the profound and widespread psychological impact of recent crises.
