The Status of Arizonans’ Mental Health
Mental Health Distress is measured as the percent of Arizonans who reported 14 or more days of poor mental health in the last 30 days.
What is Mental Health Distress?
The World Health Organization describes mental health distress as an inability to value oneself, cope with normal stresses of life, work productively, and to add value to the community. Mental health is a significant quality-of-life concern. It affects relationships, daily living, and capacity to work. It is among the factors associated with suicidal risk, along with personality, social factors, and life-threatening factors.
How Would Arizonans Benefit from Improved Mental Health?
Improved mental health in Arizona would lead to a more productive and engaged workforce, boosting economic growth and community well-being. It would reduce the burden on healthcare systems by decreasing the need for emergency services and long-term mental health care. Fostering better mental health would also lower rates of substance abuse, homelessness, and crime, creating safer, more stable communities. Overall, prioritizing mental health would enhance the quality of life for individuals, strengthen families, and improve public health outcomes across the state.
Mental Health Distress data are updated annually and are available for the nation, states, and counties.