Americans' View of Their Own Mental Health Hits Record Low, Poll Finds

A new West Health-Gallup poll shows Americans' self-assessment of their mental health continues to decline, with excellent ratings falling below 30% for the first time since tracking began.

The drop marks a 13-percentage-point decline over the past six years. Researchers point to the COVID-19 pandemic as a clear turning point. Between 2001 and 2019, Americans' views of their mental health remained remarkably stable, with 42% consistently rating it as excellent. That number fell nine points to 34% in late 2020, roughly eight months into the pandemic, and has continued sliding since.

The findings suggest that while the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, its effects on how Americans perceive their psychological well-being have not.