Mental Health Awareness
BHAT Works To
Define
the state's mental health issues and provide a collective voice on the mental health issues of the day;
Ensure
BHAT has a seat at the table on any issue that may affect Texas' public mental health system; and
Develop
effective relationships and processes to identify and anticipate other critical mental health issues and developing mechanisms that enable the association to respond quickly and efficiently.
Mental Health in 2026
Prevention, Access and Workforce capacity, Supportive School and Community settings, Attention to Social and Economic conditions, Digital Safeguards, and Measurable Accountability.
Mental health is shaped by more than a diagnosis. Relationships, life experiences, economic conditions, access to care, and the environments where people live, learn, and work can all affect mental well-being. The latest national data show signs of improvement among high school students, while millions of young people and adults still report significant needs.
The National Picture
1 in 5 adults—54.6 million people—had a mental illness in 2025. About 18.2 million adults had a serious mental illness.
1 in 3 high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2025, down from 40% in 2023.
1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–17 reported an unmet mental health care need in CDC’s 2021–2023 data.
Youth mental health indicators improved, but needs remain.
What can affect mental health?
There is rarely one cause. Factors can overlap and affect people differently. CDC identifies influences at individual, family, community, and societal levels. These include adverse experiences and violence, discrimination, social isolation, chronic health conditions, substance use, and barriers to housing, education, employment, or health care. Supportive relationships, stable environments, and access to quality care can help protect well-being.
For young people, relationships with caring adults and peers matter. Sleep and digital experiences are also relevant areas for families, schools, and policymakers: CDC reported that only 24% of high school students got at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night in 2025. Research on social media and youth mental health is still developing, so it’s best to describe it as a potential influence rather than a single proven cause.
Looking at Texas and Mental Health
In 2022–2023, 25.2% of Texas adults with any mental illness reported an unmet need for treatment—an estimated 597,000 adults.
In 2023, 42.7% of Texas adults reporting frequent mental distress said they could not see a doctor because of cost.
In 2022–2023, 19.4% of Texas adults with any mental illness were uninsured.
Historical Look at the Texas Legislature’s Appropriations for Mental Health
The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) provides an interactive graphic on the historical appropriations by the Texas Legislature for mental health services, programs, and supports. This historical graphic goes back to 2016 and can be filtered by year and state agency.
Visit the LBB’s website for more information on mental health funding over the years. Click on the image above or the link below.