Despite recent progress, mental health is still stigmatized in the US. And while our social mores may be lagging, interest in mental health is surging. Does this growing interest in mental health signal a hidden crisis in America?
The interactive map below from Este Geraghty at Esri shows how mental health outcomes are worsening. It also investigates links between risk factors and mental distress.
The first set of maps shows a dramatic decline in mental health from 2015 to 2019. During that time, every US county but one reported higher numbers of poor mental health days per month.
Additional maps show how mental health relates to obesity, unemployment, income inequality, and more. You can also find maps showing access to health-care resources.
These maps show that poor mental health isn’t an isolated or individual problem. It’s a public health challenge that’s influenced by intertwined issues. Access to resources, social and economic structures, and individual health issues all play a role.
By The Numbers
Average number of poor mental health days per month in 2019, up from 3.8 in 2015.
Number of US counties that did not see an increase in poor mental health from 2015 to 2019.
Number of Americans living in areas with a shortage of mental healthcare providers.
More to Explore
- Learn more about how the interactive map was made.
- Discover more place-based stories and interactive maps like this at StoryScape.
