Mental health resolutions are becoming as common as fitness and financial goals among Americans, as the new year approaches. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) released a Healthy Minds poll showing that 38% of U.S. adults planned to set at least one mental health resolution in 2026, which is a rise from 33% in the previous year. Especially younger adults are driving the trend with 58% of individuals aged 18, 34 saying that they would prioritize mental health resolutions like therapy, journaling, or sleep improvement.
Among the mental health resolution goals, some of the common ones are stress reduction, setting better limits, cutting down on social media usage, and seeking professional help for anxiety or depression. Clinicians say that these mental health resolutions reflect people becoming a different culture, a culture that sees emotional well, being as a fundamental part of health and not just a side. To be real, experts suggest that mental health resolutions should be small, doable steps in daily life, such as making a therapy appointment, adding a relaxation ritual to the day, or reconnecting with supportive friends.
The American Psychological Association (APA) states that the uncertainty of 2026 worries many Americans, and this, in turn, is driving the mental health resolutions. One of the recommendations from the mental health professionals is that a mental health resolution should be accompanied by an accountability partner and a support group to ensure progress.
As there are more people who publicly declare their mental health resolutions on social media, it is expected that this phenomenon will help the normalization of seeking help and thus, a more compassionate and connected beginning of the year.
Source: American Psychiatric Association – Mental Health Resolutions 2026
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