Professions with Highest Rates of Mental Health Disorders - DMS Services 2023 (2024)

Jobs Linked to High Rates of Suicide and Depression

Professions with Highest Rates of Mental Health Disorders - DMS Services 2023 (1)According to the Business Insider, certain professions put workers at a higher risk for suicide and depression. Whether it is burnout or unreasonable demands, several jobs have workers more prone to mental health disorders compared with the general population.

As reported by the Insider, these professions have high rates of suicide and depression:

  • Veterinarians
  • Emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
  • Construction workers
  • Childcare workers
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Restaurant workers
  • Humanitarian workers
  • Lawyers

Long Hours, Student Loan Debt, and Staff Shortages

There are several reasons that these industries have higher rates of mental health disorders. Each profession has its own set of challenges that may impact a person’s mental well-being. Many of the jobs listed require a person to incur huge amounts of student loan debt. The jobs are often accompanied by long hours and staff shortages.

For people in animal and human health care, they may see a lot of pain and suffering or face having to euthanize animals. Some of the industries have high rates of substance use disorders which commonly co-occur with mental health disorders.

Low Wages and Job Security

In some situations, it may be low wages that lead to anxiety and stress. Financial uncertainty is a leading factor in depression and suicide rates. Job security is another reason cited, particularly for construction workers.

The statistics are devastating and have only been made worse by the pandemic. Unfortunately, rates of suicide and depression have continued to climb.

Seeking Treatment

It is imperative to seek treatment immediately if you are suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, or thoughts of suicide. Despite as many as 1 in 5 adults suffering from diagnosable mental health disorders, few ever seek treatment.

As more celebrities and public figures normalize their own struggles with mental health, it is hoped that getting treatment will be destigmatized and welcomed throughout every profession.

Professions with Highest Rates of Mental Health Disorders - DMS Services 2023 (2024)

FAQs

What profession has the highest rate of mental illness? ›

While depression can arise in any job or career, research has shown that some of the most depressing careers include social workers, disability lawyers, long-term care administrators and nurses, mental health counsellors, and first responders.

What are the statistics about mental health in 2023? ›

Key Takeaways from the 2023 Study

55% of adults with a mental illness have not received any treatment. 5.44% of adults experience severe mental illness. Over 12.1 million adults (4.8%) have reported serious thoughts of suicide.

How many adults live with a mental illness? ›

Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness (AMI) 2022

19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans. 4.91% are experiencing a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 16.37% in New Jersey to 26.86% in Utah.

What industry has the highest mental health issues? ›

Hospitality and real estate sectors have highest rates of common mental health problems | University of Cambridge.

What is the largest group of mental health professionals? ›

Professional social workers are the largest group of mental health service providers.

What is the biggest contributor to mental illness? ›

drug and alcohol misuse. domestic violence, bullying or other abuse as an adult. significant trauma as an adult, such as military combat, being involved in a serious incident in which you feared for your life, or being the victim of a violent crime.

What is the #1 most diagnosed mental disorder? ›

The most common category of mental health disorders in America—anxiety disorders—impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. Anxiety disorders cause people to experience distressing and frequent fear and apprehension.

Who is more prone to mental illness? ›

Today, women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems.

What country has the highest rate of mental illness in 2023? ›

Where are mental disorders most common? The countries with the highest age-standardized rates of mental disorders in the world are Iran, Australia, and New Zealand.

What state has the most mental health issues? ›

West Virginia has the lowest overall mental well-being, earning a health score of just 5.6. With a population of 1.7 million, a concerning 19% of residents report experiencing frequent mental distress, which translates to more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month.

Who is most likely to receive mental health treatment in the US? ›

Considering age, those between 18 and 44 years are more likely to receive counseling or therapy than older adults, however older adults are more likely to take medication to treat their mental health issues.

What is the hardest mental illness to live with? ›

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

Which mental illness has the highest mortality rate? ›

The anorexia death rate is the highest of all mental illnesses as it is a very complex and complicated disorder. It requires early diagnosis and access to care with close follow-up and often long-term treatment.

What's the difference between mental illness and mental disorder? ›

These varied terms might have different levels of inclusiveness as well. “Mental illness” might refer to a narrower class of phenomena than “mental disorder” because its medical connotation might lead people to use it only in reference to conditions believed to have primarily biogenetic causes.

Are psychologists more prone to mental illness? ›

Overall, rates of mental disorders within clinical, counseling, and school-psychology faculty and trainees were similar to or greater than those observed in the general population.

What is the number 1 most common mental illness? ›

The most common category of mental health disorders in America—anxiety disorders—impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. Anxiety disorders cause people to experience distressing and frequent fear and apprehension.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6005

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.