63.9%
of U.S. adults reported at least one adverse childhood experience.
The estimate comes from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data collected across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., from 2011 through 2020.
Reference page
Trauma, PTSD & mental health statistics in the U.S.
These national figures provide context for understanding trauma, PTSD, mental health, and access to care. Each number links to its original public source and includes the year of the underlying data.
Last updated October 20, 2026
At a glance
These figures describe national surveys and studies, not any one person’s experience. They are here to make reliable information easier to find and cite.
17.3%
of U.S. adults reported four or more adverse childhood experiences.
This is the same national 2011 to 2020 CDC survey analysis. The figure is a weighted estimate, not a count of every individual in the country.
3.6%
of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.
The underlying survey was conducted in 2001 through 2003. It remains the prevalence estimate presented by the National Institute of Mental Health, and its age should be considered when it is cited.
22.8%
of U.S. adults had any mental illness in the past year in 2023.
SAMHSA estimates this as 58.7 million adults. In this survey, the measure includes diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders and excludes developmental disorders and substance use disorders.
23.9%
of U.S. adults received mental health treatment in the previous 12 months in 2023.
The CDC measure includes medication for mental health as well as therapy with a mental health professional. It increased from 19.2% in 2019.
Methodology and sources
How to read these statistics
Each statistic is drawn from a named U.S. public-health source. The source links lead to the full report or data page, where definitions, sampling methods, and limitations are available. Publication year and data year can differ, so both are noted when that distinction matters.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023: Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among U.S. Adults. Data: 2011 to 2020.
- National Institute of Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder statistics. Adult prevalence data: 2001 to 2003.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Data: 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024: Mental Health Treatment Trends Among Adults. Data: 2019 to 2023.
Suggested citation
Beatrice Schreiber Therapy. “Trauma, PTSD & Mental Health Statistics in the U.S.” Updated October 20, 2026. https://beatriceschreibertherapy.com/trauma-statistics
Looking for therapy support?
I work with adults in California through virtual trauma therapy and Attachment-Focused EMDR. If you are considering therapy, we can discuss your own experiences and what you are looking for in treatment.
Get in touch
Let’s talk
Discussing whether we might work together
You are welcome to tell me what you are looking for in therapy and ask questions about my practice. This gives us a starting point for considering whether we might work together.
Virtual depth-oriented therapeutic work, including EMDR, for clients in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and all of California.