Frequent Mental Distress

Definition

Mental distress is defined as someone feeling emotionally unhealthy, sad, depressed, stressed, anxious, or troubled for at least 14 out of the last 30 days. Rates of mental distress increased after COVID-19, with about half of all young adults now reporting symptoms of depression.

Human Health Mechanism

Mental health has a huge impact on one’s physical health and overall well-being. Having frequent mental distress is correlated with poor sleep, poor nutrition, substance use disorders, and lack of physical activity. It can also put people at a higher risk for physical health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Those who struggle with frequent mental distress often are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking and getting insufficient sleep.

Indicator Measurement

Data are available through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PLACES public dashboard and are collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is a state-based, telephone interview survey. BRFSS provides the prevalence of frequent mental distress by modeling the percentage of adults who reported that their mental health was poor for 14 days or more during the past 30 days.

Related Health Outcomes & Exposures

High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Physical Inactivity, Physical Disability, Noise Pollution, Not Enough Sleep Hours, Greenness, Walkability

References