How Mental Health Impacts Quality of Life

Mental health is essential for a community’s overall well-being and resilience. Mental health is linked to other factors that impact health, such as housing security, social support, employment, substance use, and access to health care and other services. A community that prioritizes mental health is more likely to thrive socially and economically. This includes improving the systems and conditions that worsen mental health, ensuring equitable access to mental health services, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Monitoring and improving mental health at the individual and community levels can enhance public health outcomes and the quality of life for everyone.

Adult Mental Health

Adult Poor Mental Health Days

Why this is important: Poor mental health in adults can significantly impact the ability to carry out personal, family, or work responsibilities. Poor mental health may cause strain on relationships due to withdrawal or emotional distress. Poor mental health days are not the same as diagnosed mental illness; however, if the experience of poor mental health persists and is not addressed, this can lead to isolation, chronic health issues, and lower overall quality of life.

Definition: Percent of adults reporting 14 or more days of poor mental health in the last month (age-adjusted)

Trend: The percent of adults reporting 14 or more poor mental health days in the last month in Whatcom County declined significantly between 2019 and 2021. Since that change the percent of adults remained steady between 2021-22.

Geography: In Whatcom County, the percent of adults who report 14 or more poor mental health days in the past month is consistent with that across Washington State.

Disparities: Among adults who report 14 or more poor mental health days in Whatcom County, a disparity exists for age. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• About Emotional Well-Being, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Caring for Your Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health.
• Increases in poor mental health, mental distress, and depression symptoms among U.S. adults, 1993–2020, Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 2023.

Adult Depression

Why this is important: Adult depression can have profound effects on many aspects of life, including work, parenting, other relationships, and overall well-being. Depression can impair social functioning, making it challenging to maintain healthy connections with others and participate in daily activities. Left untreated, depression can significantly diminish quality of life, increase the risk of other mental and physical health issues¹, and, in some cases, lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. 

Definition: Percent of adults who report being told they have a depressive disorder including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression

Trend: Since 2018, the percent of adults who report being told they have a depressive disorder shows a small increase from 22.9% in 2018 to 29.3% in 2022. This change is not statistically significant.

Geography: The percent of adults in Whatcom County who report being told they have a depressive disorder began to diverge from Washington State in 2019, but the difference is not significant.

Disparities: Among the adults in Whatcom County who have been told they have a depressive disorder, disparities exist for age, sex, and racial group. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Whatcom 
• Mental Health, Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
• Mental Health in Washington, National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2021.
• Depression, National Institute on Mental Health.

Youth Mental Health

Youth mental health is a serious concern, as it can impact young people’s school engagement, peer and family relationships, risk of self-harm, and alcohol or drug use. Families, schools, neighborhoods, health care providers, and community programs and services all have a role to play in supporting youth’s resilience and well-being.

HOPE Scale 

Why this is important: Hope is the belief that the future will be better than today and that you have the power to make it so. The Children’s Hope Scale (used by the Healthy Youth Survey) is used to help measure hope in children and youth ages 8 – 16 years. Research has linked hope with l physical, psychological, and social well-being. Hope is connected to lower anxiety, stress (including parental stress), and depression. It is also associated with higher goal attainment, coping skills, and improved life satisfaction. Building hope can improve life at home, school, work, and in the community. To see how 10th grade students in Whatcom County responded to the Hope Scale on the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey, follow this link.

Youth Depressive Feelings

Why this is important: Depressive feelings, or feeling sad or hopeless, can be a normal part of development as youth navigate the complexities of life and personal growth. Depressive feelings may not indicate clinical depression. However, extended periods of depressive feelings can lead to depression or make youth more likely to miss school or engage in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and self-harm². Recognizing and addressing youth depressive feelings through trusted relationships and comprehensive services is crucial for maintaining youth’s school engagement, healthy behaviors, and physical and mental well-being.

Definition: Percent of 10th graders who report feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks in a row over the past year

Trend: Between 2016-18, the percent of 10th grade students in Whatcom County reporting sad or hopeless feelings almost everyday for two weeks or more in a row showed a significant increase. During the pandemic in 2021, this percent was nearly 40% of 10th grade students. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.

Geography: There is no significant difference in the number of 10th grade students in Whatcom County compared to Washington State who report feeling so sad or hopeless almost everyday for two weeks or more in a row.

Disparities: Among Whatcom County 10th grade students, disparities exist between gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial groups. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Whatcom 
• Mental Health, Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
• Depression in Children and Teens, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Youth Anxiety

Why this is important: Feeling anxious or on edge can be a normal part of a youth’s development, especially as they navigate the challenges and uncertainties of adolescence. However, prolonged periods of heightened anxiety can negatively affect their well-being. Youth experiencing persistent anxiety may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance behaviors, missing school, or substance abuse³.  Recognizing and addressing youth anxiety through trusted relationships and comprehensive services can help support youth’s school engagement, healthy behaviors, and physical and mental well-being.

Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who report feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge in the last 2 weeks

Trend: Between 2014-18, the percent of 10th grade students who report feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge in the last 2 weeks in Whatcom County increased significantly. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the percent of 10th grade students reached 72%. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.

Geography: The percent of 10th grade students who report feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge in the last 2 weeks in Whatcom County is similar to that across Washington State.

Disparities: Disparities exist for gender identity, sexual orientation, and racial group. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Whatcom 
• Mental Health, Whatcom County Health and Community Services.
• How Anxiety Affects Teenagers, Child Mind Institute.
• Anxiety and Depression in Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Youth Contemplation of Suicide

Why this is important: Contemplation of suicide among youth is a serious concern, as it indicates a high level of distress that, in some cases, leads to attempted or completed suicide. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among youth can be reduced by trusted relationships, school and community interventions, and mental health services. 

Definition: Percent of 10th grade students who seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months

Call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Chat at 988lifeline.org

Trend: Between 2016-18, the percent of youth who seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months showed a sigificant increase. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, this percentage was under 20% for Whatcom County. Caution should be used when interpreting 2021 survey data until further data is available.

Geography: The proportion of youth who seriously considered suicide in Whatcom County in 2021 is similar to the proportion of youth across Washington State.

Disparities: There is evidence of disparities among youth who seriously considered suicide across several factors including gender identity, sexual orientation, and race and ethnicity. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• M.A.D. – H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference – Helping Other People Everywhere) Youth Suicide Prevention Program
• Suicide Prevention, WA State Department of Health.
• The Trevor Project
• Teens and suicide: What parents should know, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
• Suicide: Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Indicators on Youth Social Supports are located here.