Oregon Recorded Highest State Mental Illness Rate

New data from 2023 to 2024 shows that Oregon reached a 31.6 percent mental illness rate, the highest in the nation.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Mental Health

Oregon Recorded Highest State Mental Illness Rate

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Is the prevalence of mental illness in the United States getting better or worse?

During the 2023 to 2024 period, Oregon recorded a mental illness rate of 31.6 percent, surpassing all other states in the U.S. By comparison, New Jersey reported the lowest prevalence at 18.1 percent during the same timeframe.

Why it matters

Understanding state-level prevalence is critical for identifying regional disparities in mental health needs across the country. These findings offer a baseline for comparing how different areas manage psychological health burdens relative to national averages.

Oregon reported a 31.6 percent mental illness rate compared to the national average of 21.5 percent during 2023-2024. New Jersey maintained the lowest recorded rate in the country at 18.1 percent.

The details

Mental illness rates are determined through ongoing demographic and state-level prevalence tracking. While national figures indicate that mental health disorders have impacted 1.2 billion people worldwide since 1990, the U.S. adult mental illness population reached 54.6 million in 2025, representing a 20.6 percent national rate.

1990: Mental health disorders began a global period of doubling.
2016: The national mental illness rate was recorded at 18.3 percent.
2023-2024: Oregon recorded a 31.6 percent mental illness rate.
2025: The U.S. mental illness population totaled 54.6 million adults.

Health Landscape

This data follows the fluctuations in mental health trends observed after the COVID-19 pandemic. The reported rates reflect the ongoing evolution of psychological health tracking compared to the 18.3 percent national baseline recorded in 2016.

These state-level findings highlight the potential need for expanded local access to mental health resources and support services. Residents can use this information to better understand the scope of local healthcare challenges and the availability of regional wellness programs.

The takeaway

Mental health prevalence varies significantly by region, with Oregon currently reporting the highest rates in the nation. Public health officials continue to analyze how demographic shifts and pandemic-era stressors influence these long-term trends.