A new study published in the journal Political Behavior suggests that mental illness is evolving into a political identity in the United States, with a distinct left-leaning tilt. Lauren Van De Hey, an assistant professor at Utah State University, found that individuals who identify as having a mental health condition are increasingly aligning their political views with liberal ideology, particularly in supporting expanded government spending on healthcare, education, and welfare.
Mental Health Identity and Political Alignment
Van De Hey's April paper concluded that “mental health identity has begun to function as a political identity for some individuals.” The study found that those with mental illness “are more likely to have a college degree; be a Democrat, liberal and White; and have slightly lower family income.” Overall, “ideology is the most important factor for mental health identification,” with a strong emphasis on liberal views.
This trend builds on decades of rising mental health issues. A study published in The Lancet last month estimated that 1.17 billion people worldwide now suffer from mental disorders, including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The most common conditions are anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. According to the study, mental illness has become 95.5% more common since 1990.
COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbated Mental Health Crisis
The Lancet study noted that the COVID-19 pandemic “exacerbated the mental health of many around the world, especially women and young people.” The authors warned that “our findings suggest that we are entering an even more concerning phase of worsening mental disorder burden globally.” The stress and isolation of the pandemic drove many more people—particularly the young—to experience mental health challenges.
There is also evidence that mental illness has become trendy, especially among younger generations. A 2024 editorial in the medical journal Cureus warned of “the glorification of mental illness and viewing it as almost akin to a status symbol by certain segments of Generation Z society.” To some, mental illness is less a diagnosis than a cool identity. Once an attribute becomes a proudly flaunted part of people’s sense of self, it often takes on political overtones.
Liberals Report Lower Psychological Well-Being
Early indications suggested these political overtones would lean left. In 2023, Columbia University’s alumni magazine noted that “American adults who identify as politically liberal have long reported lower levels of happiness and psychological well-being than conservatives.” Mental health experts suspected the trend could be partially explained by liberals’ tendency to fret over stressful topics like racial injustice, income inequality, guns, and climate change.
The convergence of rising mental illness rates, the pandemic’s impact, and the politicization of mental health identity suggests that the phenomenon is likely to grow. Van De Hey’s research indicates that this identity is now shaping policy preferences, with implications for future political debates over state spending and social welfare programs.
