2023 Epi Profiles Mental Health

View 2023 Mental Health profile

Epi Profiles Purpose

The profiles are tools for individuals and organizations working in substance use-related areas like behavioral health, public health, public safety, and public policy. They provide an overview of various substances, substance use behaviors, and consequences related to substance use. The Colorado SEOW publishes statewide substance use profiles every other year.

The profiles result from the collaborative efforts of Colorado SEOW partners and their respective agencies. The Evaluation Center (TEC) at the University of Colorado Denver is contracted through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to coordinate and carry out the development of the profiles.

mental health Profile Highlights

Nearly one in four Coloradans ages 5+ had poor mental health (eight or more days of poor mental health in the past month) in 2021 – far above the previous high of 15.3% in 2019. (1)

Colorado ranks 37th
for prevalence of mental illness
and access to mental health care for adults and youth in the U.S. (2)

Mental Health America, 2022

In the U.S.,
27.7% of youth ages 12-17 who had a major depressive episode in the past year used illicit drugs – compared with 10.7% of youth without an episode. (3)

Suicide was the 8th leading cause of

death in Colorado in 2020.

Nationally, suicide was not among the top 10 causes of death in the same year.

(4)

  1. Colorado Health Institute, 2021
  2. Mental Health America, 2022
  3. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2021
  4. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2020
References
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Colorado State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup