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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adolescents with depression who get treatment — MHMD‑06 Infographic

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

Status: Target met or exceeded

  Target met or exceeded

Most Recent Data:
50.7 percent (2023)

Target:
44.9 percent 

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
40.0 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with MDEs received treatment in the past 12 months, as reported in 2021 

Mental health problems like depression can negatively affect adolescents’ academic success, their ability to make decisions, and their overall health. Getting treatment for mental health problems, in addition to building strong bonds and connections, can protect adolescents’ mental health.

In 2023, 50.7 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with major depressive episodes (MDEs) received treatment in the past 12 months.

Data Source:  National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), SAMHSA

Disparities in rates of adolescents who get treatment for depression, by sex of adolescent ‡

In 2023, male adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with major depressive episodes (MDEs) had the lower group rate of receiving treatment in the past 12 months (42.4 percent). Female adolescents with MDEs (reference group) had the higher group rate (53.7 percent).

The rate of receiving treatment in the past 12 months among female adolescents with MDEs was 26.7 percent higher than the rate among male adolescents with MDEs (maximal rate ratio = 1.267). The difference between the higher and lower group rates was 11.3 percentage points (maximal rate difference).

Learn about how we calculate disparities data.

Find data for additional demographic groups.