The Story

Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019). 

Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people. 

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44. 

There were nearly two and a half times as many suicides (47,511) in the United States as there were homicides (19,141). 

46,510 American adults died from suicide in 2018, including 6,435 U.S. Veterans 

In 2019, about 20 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder in the past year, according to the most recent data report. Data for 2020 has not yet been released. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been higher reported rates of drinking and drug use among adults, as well as alarming spikes in fatal drug overdoses. 

90% of smokers started smoking before they turned 18. 

54.9% of people report they have drunk alcohol in the past month, as alcohol statistics disclose. 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, overdoses have increased by 50% in the US. 

Young people aged 18 to 25 are the most likely to have problems with prescription drug abuse. 

Smartphone addiction statistics find that 33% of teens aged 13 never turn off their phones. 

18 million people have abused prescription drugs at least once in their lives. 

Addiction statistics for 2020 show that 0.5% of 8th graders have used heroin in their lifetime. 

30% of marijuana users are in danger of developing a marijuana use disorder. 

7.5 million people aged 15–34 have used cocaine at least once. 

Loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, researchers warned in a recent webcast, and the problem is particularly acute among seniors, especially during holidays. 

Two in five Americans report that they sometimes or always feel their social relationships are not meaningful, and one in five say they feel lonely or socially isolated. The lack of connection can have life threatening consequences, said Brigham Young University professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who testified before the U.S. Senate in April, 2017 that the problem is structural as well as psychological. 

The average household size in the U.S. has declined in the past decade, leading to a 10 percent increase in people living alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over a quarter of the U.S. population – and 28 percent of older adults – now live by themselves. 

An estimated $6.7 billion in annual federal spending is attributable to social isolation among older adults. Poor social relationships were associated with a 29 percent increase in risk of coronary heart disease and a 32 percent rise in the risk of stroke 

REGULAR TIME OUTDOORS HELPS CHILDREN THRIVE. But over the past few generations, childhood has moved indoors. On average, today’s kids spend up to 44 hours per week in front of a screen, and less than 10 minutes a day playing outdoors. And for too many kids, access to nature is determined by race, income, ability and postal code. 

Families who spend time in nature develop strong bonds, better communication and incredible memories. We support healthy, active families outdoors in a variety of ways, from large scale national partnerships, to working locally with community partners to reduce barriers to nature. 

Time spent learning and playing in nature benefits the whole child and can help children reach their full potential. Access to safe, natural areas can enhance children’s physical and mental health, from improving cardiovascular vitality and weight management to reducing stress and ADHD symptoms. In addition, regular access to high quality green space inspires strong connections to the natural world.