Columbia University study finds roughly 10% of Americans experiencing depression

A new Columbia University study provides bracing evidence that the number of Americans suffering from depression continues to grow in recent years, with roughly 10% of U.S. residents reporting some form of the ailment. 

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that "the prevalence of past-year depression in 2020 was 9.2%," a jump of 8.6% form 2019 and 7.3% in 2015. 

The study found that "the highest prevalences of depression across time were found among adolescents ... and young adults," aged 12-25, both demographics of which reported depression at rates of around 17%. 

The researchers said the numbers point to "an escalating public health crisis in the U.S. even before the onset of the pandemic."

"Expanding evidence-based campaigns that promote early intervention, prevention, and education about depression are needed now," they wrote.