From April to May 2020, around 23 percent of Hispanic/Latino adults reported having suicidal thoughts/ideation in the last 30 days, compared to around 5.3 percent of white, non-Hispanic adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased mental health issues and greater instances of substance abuse among many people. This statistic illustrates the prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race/ethnicity.
Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race*
Characteristic
Current depression
Sucidial thoughts/Ideation
Substance use increase or initiation
White, non-Hispanic
25.3%
5.3%
14.3%
Black, non-Hispanic
27.7%
5.2%
15.6%
Hispanic/Latino
40.3%
22.9%
36.9%
Other, non-Hispanic**
31.4%
8.9%
15.1%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of respondants25.3%25.3%27.7%27.7%40.3%40.3%31.4%31.4%5.3%5.3%5.2%5.2%22.9%22.9%8.9%8.9%14.3%14.3%15.6%15.6%36.9%36.9%15.1%15.1%Current depressionSucidial thoughts/IdeationSubstance use increase or initiationWhite, non-HispanicBlack, non-HispanicHispanic/LatinoOther, non-Hispanic**
0%10%20%30%40%50%
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Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race*
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* Current depression is defined as a score of ≥10 on the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). The PHQ-8 is adapted from the nine-item PHQ (PHQ-9), which is based on the nine criteria for diagnosis of depressive disorders in the DSM-IV. Suicidal thoughts/Ideation is defined as an affirmative response to the question “At any time in the past 30 days, did you seriously think about trying to kill yourself?”. Substance use increase or initiation is defined as an affirmative response to the question “Have you started or increased using substances to help you cope with stress or emotions during the COVID-19
pandemic? Substance use includes alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or prescriptions drugs that are taken in a way not recommended by your doctor.”
** Includes participants who identified as Native American/Alaska Native, Asian, multiracial, or another race/ethnicity.
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CDC. (February 5, 2021). Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/
CDC. "Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race*." Chart. February 5, 2021. Statista. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/
CDC. (2021). Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 19, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/
CDC. "Prevalence of Current Depression, Suicidal Thoughts/Ideation, and Substance Use Increase or Initiation among U.S. Adults from April to May 2020, by Race*." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Feb 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/
CDC, Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/ (last visited February 19, 2025)
Prevalence of current depression, suicidal thoughts/ideation, and substance use increase or initiation among U.S. adults from April to May 2020, by race* [Graph], CDC, February 5, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1212272/current-depression-suicidal-thoughts-ideation-substance-use-us-adults-prevalence-by-race/
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