A recent survey conducted by Ipsos through its Ipsos iSay panel has highlighted the profound impact of mental health challenges on Americans, with 34% reporting they were unable to attend work due to stress in the past year. The findings, drawn from a representative sample, underscore how mental health affects daily life, with notable variations across gender, age, and income levels. The survey also reveals perceptions of the healthcare system’s approach to mental health and how Americans cope with these challenges.

Frequency of mental health concerns

The survey found that 61% of Americans think about their mental health often, while 27% do so infrequently, and 9% never do. Women are more likely to reflect on their mental health, with 67% reporting frequent thoughts compared to 55% of men. Generational differences are also evident: 68% of Gen Z report thinking about their mental health often, compared to 45% of Baby Boomers, 13% of whom say they never do. These disparities suggest varying levels of awareness and concern across demographics.

Daily life disruptions

Mental health challenges have significantly disrupted daily routines for many Americans over the past year. Key findings include:

• 59% felt stressed to the point that it impacted their daily life, with 34% experiencing this multiple times.
• 53% were so overwhelmed by stress that they could not cope with daily responsibilities, with 26% reporting this occurred several times.
• 34% were unable to go to work due to stress, and 17% took time off on multiple occasions.

Women consistently reported higher rates of these disruptions than men, highlighting a gender gap in the impact of mental health challenges.

Coping mechanisms

Americans employ various strategies to manage their mental health, including:

• 34% talked with friends or family.
• 25% took medication.
• 21% missed social gatherings.
• 14% took time off work or school.
• 10% posted online while feeling stressed.
• 40% did none of the above.

Talking with friends or family is the most common coping strategy, followed by medication and professional support. But the 40% who took no action suggest barriers such as stigma or limited access to care may persist.

Healthcare system perceptions

The survey also examined attitudes toward the healthcare system’s treatment of mental versus physical health. Half of Americans (50%) believe physical health is prioritised over mental health, while 11% feel mental health is treated as more important. Lower-income Americans (15%) are more likely than middle-income Americans (9%) to perceive mental health as prioritised, possibly reflecting greater reliance on public mental health services. These findings indicate a widespread perception that the healthcare system undervalues mental health, with income-related disparities in experiences.

Valuing mental and physical health

Most Americans (77%) view mental and physical health as equally important. However, younger adults under 35 (14%) are more likely than those aged 50 to 74 (7%) to prioritise mental health. Business owners also place greater emphasis on mental health (17%) compared to non-business owners (10%). These variations reflect how age and professional responsibilities shape attitudes toward health priorities.