Mental Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there is "no health without mental
health."1 "Mental health refers to a
broad array of activities directly or indirectly related to the mental well-being component." It is
part of the WHO's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social
well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. It is a state of well-being in which an individual
realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively,
and is able to make a contribution to his or her
community.2
The World Health Organization's definition of health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." In other words, mental well-being is an essential part of good health and there is "no health without mental health."1
Further, the WHO defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."1 Healthypeople.gov says that "mental health is essential to a person's well-being, healthy family and interpersonal relationships, and the ability to live a full and productive life."2
The World Health Organization's definition of health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." In other words, mental well-being is an essential part of good health and there is "no health without mental health."1
Further, the WHO defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."1 Healthypeople.gov says that "mental health is essential to a person's well-being, healthy family and interpersonal relationships, and the ability to live a full and productive life."2
1. WHO. Mental health: strengthening our response. 30 March, 2018. Accessed
3/8/2019 from
https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response.
2. Healthy People 2020. Accessed 3/8/2019 from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Mental-Health.
2. Healthy People 2020. Accessed 3/8/2019 from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Mental-Health.
The burden of mental health is high in the U.S., and it is one of the most common causes of
disability. According to HealthyPeople.gov, mental health disorders significantly affect physical
health and "are associated with the prevalence, progression, and outcome of some of today's most
pressing chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and
cancer."3 They have long-lasting
effects that not only include high psychosocial and economic costs for people living with the
disorder, but also for their families, schools, workplaces, and
communities.4
3. Healthy People 2020, accessed on 3/8/2019 from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Mental-Health.
4. Prince M, Patel V, Saxena S, Maj M, Maselko J, Phillips MR, Rahman A. Global Mental Health 1 - No health without mental health. Lancet. 2007 September 4. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61238-0.
4. Prince M, Patel V, Saxena S, Maj M, Maselko J, Phillips MR, Rahman A. Global Mental Health 1 - No health without mental health. Lancet. 2007 September 4. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61238-0.
According to HealthyPeople.gov, mental health disorders are a concern for both the old and the young.
Factors that have been associated with mental health include age, gender, education, income level,
race and ethnicity, geographical location and sexual orientation. Additionally, social conditions
such as family dynamics, work/school conditions, and social support also play a role in mental
health.5
5. Healthy People 2020, accessed on 3/8/2019 from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Mental-Health.
The promotion of mental health involves actions to create living conditions and environments that
support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Protective factors include individual, familial, and societal factors and can vary based on age and location.
For a detailed description see:
Protective factors include individual, familial, and societal factors and can vary based on age and location.
For a detailed description see:
- World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs220/en/#
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) http://www.samhsa.gov/capt/practicing-effective-prevention/prevention-behavioral-health/risk-protective-factors
Mental health data can be obtained from both mortality as well as morbidity data sources:
- Mortality data provides data due to suicides, mental disorders and illness.
- Prevalence data comes from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services.
- Hospital Discharge Data (HDD) for inpatient and ED visits relating to mental health disorders.
- Treatment Episode Datasets (TEDS) can also be accessed from Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). TEDS provides information on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of the 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment for abuse of alcohol and drugs in facilities that report to individual State administrative data systems. TEDS is an admission-based system, and TEDS admissions do not represent individuals. Thus, for example, an individual admitted to treatment twice within a calendar year would be counted as two admissions. TEDS does not include all admissions to substance abuse treatment. It includes admissions to facilities that are licensed or certified by the State substance abuse agency to provide substance abuse treatment (or are administratively tracked for other reasons). In general, facilities reporting TEDS data are those that receive State alcohol and/or drug agency funds (including Federal Block Grant funds) for the provision of alcohol and/or drug treatment services.
Mental Health - Adults (BRFSS)
- Doctor Ever Told Depressive Disorder - Crude Rates
- Doctor Ever Told Depressive Disorder - Age-adjusted Rates
- Mental Health Past 30 Days - Crude Rates
- Mental Health Past 30 Days - Age-adjusted Rates
Mental Health and Pregnancy (PRAMS)
- Anxiety Before Conception
- Depression Before Conception
- Anxiety During Pregnancy
- Depression During Pregnancy
- Partner Associated Stress During Pregnancy
- Financial Stress During Pregnancy
- Emotional Stress During Pregnancy
- Trauma-related Stress During Pregnancy
- Postpartum Depression (2012 and later)
Mental Health - Adolescents (YRBS)
- Felt Too Unsafe to Go to School
- Felt Sad or Hopeless
- Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide
- Made a Suicide Plan
- Attempted Suicide
- Suicide Attempt Required Medical Attention
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - Adults (BRFSS)
- Number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE Score) - Crude Rates
- Number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE Score) - Age-adjusted Rates
- Environmental Abuse or Household Challenges - Crude Rates
- Environmental Abuse or Household Challenges - Age-adjusted Rates
- Mental Illness in Household - Crude Rates
- Mental Illness in Household - Age-adjusted Rates
- Prison Household - Crude Rates
- Prison Household - Age-adjusted Rates
- Substance Abuse in Household - Crude Rates
- Substance Abuse in Household - Age-adjusted Rates
- Parents Divorced - Crude Rates
- Parents Divorced - Age-adjusted Rates
- Domestic Violence in Household - Crude Rates
- Domestic Violence in Household - Age-adjusted Rates
- Direct Physical, Emotional, or Sexual Abuse - Crude Rates
- Direct Physical, Emotional, or Sexual Abuse - Age-adjusted Rates
- Verbal Abuse - Crude Rates
- Verbal Abuse - Age-adjusted Rates
- Physical Abuse - Crude Rates
- Physical Abuse - Age-adjusted Rates
- Sexual Abuse - Crude Rates
- Sexual Abuse - Age-adjusted Rates
Emergency Department Encounters for Primary Care Sensitive Conditions: Mental Health Related
Mortality: Cause of Death - NCHS 50 leading causes: Alzheimer's disease
Suicide: Injury intention - Self-inflicted
- March 2020 Spotlight: Maternal Mental Health Screening through WIC Services
- March 2019 Utah Health Status Update: Utah Medicaid Beneficiaries With Complex Needs
- March 2019 Community Health Spotlight: Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) Savings
- Utah Health Improvement Plan (UHIP) Priority Update: Improving Mental Health and Reducing Suicide
- November 2018 Health Status Update: Impact of Social and Emotional Development on Health
- Suicide Report 2018
- Maternal Mental Health in Utah
- January 2018 Utah Health Status Update: Utahns, Being Among the Healthiest People in the Nation - Progress Review
- January 2018 Community Health Spotlight: Maternal Anxiety and Depression
- Special Edition Utah Health Status Update: CDC Investigation Shows Youth Suicides in Utah Increasing
- April 2017 Community Health Spotlight: Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Mental/Behavioral Health
- January 2017 Utah Health Status Update: Eating Disorders Among Adolescents
- Mental Health (from Utah State Health Assessment 2016 Report)
- Suicide in Utah - Youth (10-17 Years)
- Suicide in Utah 2014
- June 2016 Breaking News: Youth Suicide
- May 2016 Health Status Update: Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
- May 2016 Breaking News: Implementing Utah's State Plan for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
- September 2015 Utah Health Status Update: Industry and Occupation Impact on Health
- July 2015 Utah Health Status Update: Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Asthma Mental Health Report
- February 2015 Utah Health Status Update: Risk and Protective Factors for Youth Suicide
- Utah's Healthiest People Priorities Report