mind & bodyOur World in Data

Half of mental health conditions first appear by age 14, and most by the mid-twenties

the gist

Data from Our World in Data examines when people first experience mental health conditions across their lives. Early adolescence is a common time for onset, and a large share of conditions begin before adulthood. Knowing these ages helps identify when support is most likely to prevent problems from becoming long-term.

so what

Knowing the typical age of onset helps schools, families and health services target screening and support where it can make the biggest difference. It turns mental health from a vague concern into a timeline that can guide prevention.

Our World in Data · CC BY 4.0

Image: Our World in Data