The Sole Root Cause

America’s Mental Health Crisis: How Did We Get Here?

Is Mental Illness Root Cause to all the Problems in the United States?

The relationship between mental illness and the broader problems in the United States is complex and multifaceted. While mental illness is a significant factor contributing to various societal issues, it is not the sole root cause. The mental health crisis is influenced by a combination of factors, including economic stress, social media’s impact, and systemic barriers to access care.
Mental illness can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, which can exacerbate other problems such as unemployment, homelessness, and school and workplace issues. However, it is essential to recognize that mental illness is just one part of the equation, and addressing it requires a comprehensive approach that includes economic support, mental health education, and access to effective treatment.

The Missing Piece of the U.S. Mental Health Crisis Updating an outdated treatment paradigm. Posted December 10, 2024 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

Key points

Despite decades of research and treatment, mental illness rates are still climbing.
Evidence-based mental health treatments help many but are less effective for many others.
Recent evidence suggests that metabolic and environmental toxins contribute to mental illness.

As we countdown the days to 2025, there is much to anticipate in the year ahead. Driven by breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, medicine development, gene therapies, and even rocket technologies, the pace of change in 2025 may be either exhilarating or terrifying depending on your perspective.

Gratefully, some — perhaps even most — of the changes we experience next year will be gradual. Other changes, however, could be radical. And the latter is not necessarily a bad thing. Because there is possibly no area of modern America that needs radical change more than our stagnate system for preventing and treating mental illness.

Mental health in the U.S. received unexpected levels of attention in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, when researchers observed dramatic increases in depression and anxiety in the population. However, the even more important statistical trend about mental health received far less coverage.

Many mental health conditions — including severe mental illness, autism, ADHD, suicide, and depression and anxiety — had already been increasing for years before the pandemic. The most recent epidemiological data suggest that more than one in five Americans are now living with a mental health condition².

This means that the mental health crisis was not a side effect of the pandemic, although the latter surely added fuel to the fire. The mental health crisis similarly cannot singularly be attributed to any recent political movement or technological development, as neither can account for the already worsening mental health trends that preceded them.

Instead, to accurately understand the mental health crisis in the U.S., one arguably must go back even decades earlier when the initial signs of these trends emerged.

Figure 1 below provides a comparison of the conventional — but oversimplified — model of mental illness versus our current (but still widely underrecognized) model.

Source: Thomas Rutledge/PowerPoint

Conventionally, mental health professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists are taught the narrow model that mental illness is mostly a result of adverse psychosocial experiences that affect brain function in theoretical (but difficult to directly measure) ways such as neurotransmitter depletion and dysfunction. Talk therapy and psychotropics attempt to help people redress these experiences and correct underlying biological changes. Yet although there are real and important barriers that limit access to these evidence-based treatments for millions of people, there are also millions who have tried many of these treatments without receiving substantial benefit. This suggests that simply expanding access to mental healthcare isn’t enough.

Figure 1 above implies that even granting full population access to conventional mental health therapies would be insufficient because conventional mental health therapies fail to address important non-psychosocial causes of mental illness. Figure 2 offers a more comprehensive biopsychosocial model of mental health treatment based on our best current science.

Source: Thomas Rutledge/PowerPoint

In the 80s through early 2000s, when the current U.S. mental health crisis was still a slow-growing infant, there was a parallel slow rise in another sector of public health that has also since become a modern crisis: metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and non-alcoholic liver disease. Research increasingly suggests this overlap is not a coincidence. As shown in Figure 2 above, appreciating how these metabolic and environmental factors³ frequently contribute to both physical and mental illness could transform our current treatment paradigm from one that tries to reduce mental health symptoms to one that addresses root causes.

Mental illness and metabolic diseases share much of the same biology. When obesity is caused by chemicals in our air, water, and food, for example, we call them obesogens⁴. Yet despite clear associations between precisely the same classes of chemicals and mental illness^5-6, we still lack a catchy meme to describe the relationship.

If “depressogens” or “psychogens” ever become part of our mental health vocabulary, remember that they are grounded in our already well-substantiated understanding that chemicals in our food, water, air, and other sources of modern life are “endocrine disruptors” that alter our hormone patterns. Because hormones are long-lasting chemicals in the body that regulate the function of the brain and other organs, artificially disrupting them is a dangerous game for our health.

What could the next paradigm of mental health treatment look like in this biopsychosocial model?

Mental health treatment could become multidisciplinary rather than the current mostly siloed model. Mental health providers, for instance, would have compelling reasons to work more closely with primary care providers and other biomedical specialists to improve the understanding of their patient’s symptoms and potentially enhance treatment efficacy.
Conventional mental health treatments could be combined in personalized ways with behavior interventions that improve metabolic function, such as nutrition, sleep, healthy fat loss, and physical activity.
Standard mental health assessments could be augmented with routine medical testing for metabolic disorders (insulin levels, blood glucose, liver function, C-reactive protein, etc.,), with the latter results becoming a regular part of the conceptualization and treatment planning.
Educating about and testing for at least the most established endocrine disruptors and environmental toxins linked to obesity, metabolic diseases, and mental illness — along with potential efforts to reduce exposure to these agents — could become a long overdue part of how mental providers consider and treat mental illness.

Mental healthcare in the U.S. can get better. But to do so, it will have to change.

References

1. Xiong J, Lipsitz O, Nasri F, Lui LMW, Gill H, Phan L, Chen-Li D, Iacobucci M, Ho R, Majeed A, McIntyre RS. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2020 Dec 1;277:55-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.001.

2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

3. McFarland MJ, Reuben A, Hauer M. Contribution of childhood lead exposure to psychopathology in the US population over the past 75 years. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 4. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.14072.

Is mentaI illness Root cause to all the problems in the United States

Mental illness is a major public health issue in the United States, but it’s not the sole root cause of all societal problems.

Here’s a clearer picture:

Mental Illness: A Widespread Challenge

Over 1 in 5 U.S. adults—about 59 million people—live with some form of mental illness.
Conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and serious mental illness (SMI) are increasingly common, especially among young adults and marginalized communities.
Mental illness often intersects with other issues like substance use, homelessness, and incarceration, amplifying their impact.

But It’s Not the Only Cause

While mental health plays a role in many societal challenges, it’s one factor among many:

Economic inequality, systemic racism, education gaps, and healthcare access are deeply rooted structural issues.
Political polarization, climate change, and technological disruption also contribute to national stress and instability.
The rise in mental health conditions predates recent crises like COVID-19, suggesting deeper, long-term systemic causes.

A Complex Puzzle

Mental illness is a contributing factor, not the root of all problems. Addressing it requires:

Better access to care, especially for underserved groups.
Tackling social determinants of health like poverty, housing, and education.
Reducing stigma and promoting early intervention.

If you’re thinking about how mental health connects to broader issues—like crime, poverty, or education—I’d be happy to explore those links with you.

Mental Health Statistics in the U.S. 2025 | Key Facts – The Global Statistics

Mental Illness – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Ranking the States | Mental Health America

If you’re thinking about how mental health connects to broader issues—like crime, poverty, or education—I’d be happy to explore those links with you.

Absolutely—let’s unpack how mental health intersects with crime, poverty, and education. These connections are deep and often cyclical, meaning one issue can reinforce another.

Mental Health & Crime

Incarceration rates are disproportionately high among people with untreated mental illness. Jails often become de facto mental health facilities, especially for those with serious conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Lack of access to care can lead to behaviors that are criminalized—like public disturbances or substance use—rather than treated.
Trauma and violence can both result from and contribute to mental illness, creating feedback loops in communities with high crime rates.

Mental Health & Poverty

Mental illness can impair job performance, reduce income, and increase healthcare costs, pushing individuals into poverty.
Poverty itself is a risk factor for mental health issues due to chronic stress, unsafe living conditions, and limited access to services.
Children in low-income households are more likely to experience developmental delays and emotional disorders, which can persist into adulthood.

Mental Health & Education

Students with untreated mental health issues often struggle with attendance, concentration, and academic performance.
Schools with limited resources may not have enough counselors or support systems, especially in underserved areas.
Early intervention—like school-based mental health programs—can dramatically improve outcomes, reducing dropout rates and boosting long-term success.

These links show that mental health isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a social infrastructure issue. Investing in mental health care can ripple outward, improving safety, economic stability, and educational equity.

Would you like to dive deeper into one of these areas—say, how schools are handling student mental health, or how mental illness affects the criminal justice system?

Let’s dive into both—because the way schools and the criminal justice system handle mental health reveals a lot about broader societal priorities.

Mental Health in Schools: Progress & Gaps

Schools are increasingly recognizing that mental health is foundational to learning. Here’s how they’re responding:

What’s Working

24/7 Support Lines: Atlanta Public Schools launched “Talk It Out,” a confidential text line connecting students with licensed professionals anytime.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): Many districts use MTSS to tailor interventions based on student needs—from universal wellness programs to targeted counseling.
Trauma-Informed Practices: The U.S. Department of Education promotes trauma-sensitive training packages to help staff recognize and respond to student trauma.

Challenges

Shortage of School Psychologists: Many are overburdened with special education compliance tasks, leaving little time for early mental health screening.
Funding Gaps: Schools juggle food insecurity, housing instability, and digital access—mental health often gets underfunded despite its importance.
Reliance on Teachers: Early identification often depends on teacher observations, which can miss subtle or internalized symptoms.

Mental Illness & the Criminal Justice System:

A Crisis of Care:

The justice system has become a default mental health provider—but it’s poorly equipped for the role.

The Reality

Mass Incarceration of the Mentally Ill: Nearly 2 in 5 people in state and federal prisons have a history of mental illness.
Solitary Confinement Worsens Symptoms: Incarcerated individuals often face isolation, which exacerbates psychosis and trauma.
Cycle of Recidivism: Without post-release support, many reoffend due to untreated symptoms and lack of community care.

Root Causes

Deinstitutionalization Without Investment: Psychiatric hospitals were closed in the 1960s, but community care systems were never adequately funded.
Criminalization of Poverty & Addiction: Many with co-occurring disorders are arrested for behaviors linked to untreated illness.
Police as First Responders: Officers often respond to mental health crises, leading to arrests instead of treatment.

Both systems—education and justice—are grappling with the consequences of underfunded mental health care. Schools are trying to build proactive support, while the justice system is stuck in reactive mode.

Would you like to explore solutions next? For example, how community-based models or policy reforms could shift the landscape?

Atlanta Public Schools introduce round-the-clock “Talk It Out” mental health support for students

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools | Mental Health Action Guide | CDC

Mental Health | U.S. Department of Education

Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink Bing Videos

Journalists at Alden-owned newspapers go toe-to-toe with their owners to try to save and rebuild local journalism in America.

‘Stripped for Parts’ spurs Napa audience to explore the need for and support of local journalism – The Press Democrat

Journalism on the Brink: Rick Goldsmith on Fighting Disinformation & Defending the Free Press

“Stripped For Parts: American Journalism On The Brink”-Review – Beyond Chron

Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink – MSP Film

NOTE: ” One More Light ” is a ballad by American rock band Linkin Park from their seventh studio album, One More Light, as well as their last official major single with two of their longtime members Chester Bennington and drummer and band co-founder Rob Bourdon; Bennington was found dead due to suicide three months prior to the single’s release.