Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the growing mental health crisis affecting millions across the U.S. Nearly 1 in 5 American adults experiences a diagnosable mental health condition each year, and 46% will face one at some point in their lives. Alarmingly, half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14, underscoring the urgent need for early support and sustained care. Conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use continue to rise in the U.S. , with 42.5 million adults experiencing anxiety disorders, and 22.5 million suffering from major depression, making them among the most common mental illnesses in America.

Despite the growing need, the industry faces significant challenges such as provider shortages, high patient-to-clinician ratios, and rising burnout among mental health professionals. Technology is expanding access through mobile platforms and AI-assisted tools, yet the field remains fragmented, with limited regulation and inconsistent effectiveness across solutions. As AI continues to outperform individual clinicians in data-heavy tasks like diagnostic imaging, the importance of balancing technological capability with human expertise is clearer than ever.