According to a Gallup poll released on December 18, 2025, a record low percentage of Americans rate their mental health as 'good' or 'excellent.' For the first time, the proportion of individuals rating their mental health as 'excellent' has fallen below 30%, while those rating it as either 'good' or 'excellent' has decreased to 72%. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, over 42% of Americans consistently reported 'excellent' mental health.

Experts have noted that this decline raises public health concerns, but there are positive aspects to consider. David Radley, a senior scientist at the Commonwealth Fund, suggested that increased cultural openness regarding mental health may lead to more individuals acknowledging their struggles. Dr. Lisa Rosenthal, a psychiatry professor at Northwestern University, echoed this sentiment, indicating that the data might reflect a reduction in stigma and greater awareness of mental health issues.

Social media discussions surrounding conditions such as bipolar disorder, complex PTSD, autism, and ADHD indicate a growing recognition among adults that their lifelong challenges may be linked to treatable mental health conditions. A White Paper from the nonprofit Fair Health corroborates that diagnoses related to mental health have surged since 2019, with conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder potentially linked to pandemic-related stress. Other conditions, such as ADHD and bipolar disorder, are recognized as lifelong and not solely influenced by external circumstances.

While the decline in stigma is a contributing factor, Radley and Rosenthal agree that the trauma from the Covid-19 pandemic, along with political and economic uncertainties, significantly impacts Americans' mental health. Rosenthal noted that a decline in mental health is somewhat expected during such uncertain times, stating, 'Not all unhappiness is something that needs to be treated, and some reactions are totally normal, even if they’re very unpleasant.'

The poll also revealed that self-reported mental health has declined more sharply among groups that typically report higher mental health ratings, including college-educated individuals and Republicans. The percentage of Republicans rating their mental health as 'excellent' fell from 53% during 2014-2019 to 40% in 2020-2025, aligning them more closely with Democrats. Similarly, the number of college graduates rating their mental health as 'excellent' dropped by 17%, now at 36%, which brings them closer to their non-college-educated counterparts, of whom 30% rated their mental health as 'excellent' in the same period.

Rosenthal remarked that while college graduates' mental health has worsened, it has resulted in a more equal distribution of mental health ratings across educational backgrounds, suggesting a broader societal discontent. She also highlighted a growing sense of disconnection among individuals, stating, 'There’s just so much anger that civility and discourse have been so disrupted.' Despite increasing polarization, the mental health outcomes of Americans appear to be converging, as noted in the poll. Radley concluded, 'A lot of shoes feel like they’re about to drop for a lot of people. I don’t think the shoes dropping discriminates.'