Final answer:
Approximately 15% of North Americans seek mental health services annually, a number that rose during the pandemic due to increased stress and isolation. Common mental disorders like anxiety affect a large portion of adults, and help is more often sought by certain demographics including women and those with higher education.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately 15% of North Americans seek mental health services each year. This statistic rose significantly during the pandemic that began in 2020, highlighting increased stressors and the impact of social isolation on mental wellbeing. The most common mental disorders in the United States are anxiety disorders, affecting nearly 18% of adults annually. Those who seek help are disproportionately women, young adults, people with health insurance, and individuals with higher education levels.
It is worth noting that anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and differs from anxiety disorders, which include OCD, panic disorders, PTSD, and phobias that cause persistent distress. The rise in mental health issues and the subsequent increase in the utilization of services could also be linked to a growing awareness and decreasing stigma around mental health.