Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey of the United States civilian population ages 12 and older.

In 2011, the NSDUH found that 29.8 percent of young adults ages 18 to 25 reported having experienced a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in the past year.¹

The survey also found that 35.2 percent of young adults ages 18 to 25 used illicit drugs in the past year.² The survey defines illicit drugs as marijuana, pain relievers, inhalants, tranquilizers, hallucinogens, stimulants, sedatives, cocaine, and heroin.

Young adults with behavioral health challenges can be resilient with the help of family, friends, providers, and other Heroes of Hope. Visit samhsa.gov/children to learn more.

Use these sample messages to share these data points with your connections on Twitter, Facebook, and via email.

Twitter:

29.8% of young adults experienced mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in past yr http://1.usa.gov/11ELAHS via @samhsagov #HeroesofHope

35.2% of ppl ages 18 to 25 used illicit drugs in past year http://1.usa.gov/11ELAHS via @samhsagov #HeroesofHope

Facebook:

Did you know that 29.8% of young adults ages 18 to 25 reported having experienced a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in the past year? Learn more about the behavioral health of young adults and pass it on to observe National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: http://1.usa.gov/11ELAHS

Illicit drug use is high among young adults, with 35.2% of young adults ages 18 to 25 indicating that they used illicit drugs in the past year. Learn more about the behavioral health of young adults and pass it on to observe National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: http://1.usa.gov/11ELAHS

References:

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Results from the 2011 national survey on drug use and health: Mental health findings (NSDUH Series H-45, HHS Publication No. [SMA] 12-4725). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11MH_FindingsandDetTables/2K11MHFR/NSDUHmhfr2011.htm#Ch2
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Results from the 2011 national survey on drug use and health: Summary of national findings (NSDUH Series H-44, HHS Publication No. [SMA] 12-4713). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2011SummNatFindDetTables/NSDUH-DetTabsPDFWHTML2011/2k11DetailedTabs/Web/HTML/NSDUH-DetTabsSect1peTabs1to46-2011.htm#Tab1.21B

Additional resources:

• Walker, J. S., & Gowen, L. K. (2011). Community-based approaches for supporting positive development in youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. Retrieved from Portland State University, Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures Web site: http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/pbCmtyBasedApproaches09-2011.pdf (PDF - 964 KB)
• Gowen, L. K. (2010). Youth, young adults, & mental health [Transitions to Adulthood]. Focal point, 24(1), 3–4. Retrieved from http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/fpS10.pdf (PDF - 11 MB)
• Sowers, J., & Wood, N. (n.d.). Enhancing career development engagement and self-determination for young adults with mental health diagnoses. Retrieved from the Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures Web site: http://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/proj1-lit-review.pdf (PDF - 206 KB)