Frequent Mental Distress

Definition: Percentage of adults who reported their mental health was not good 14 or more days in the past 30 days 

WHY DOES THIS MATTER? 

Frequent mental distress is an indicator of health-related quality of life and the burden of mental illness in a population. Frequent mental distress is characterized by 14 or more days of self-reported poor mental health in the past month. The cutoff point of 14 or more days is used because a strong relationship has been demonstrated between the 14-day minimum period and clinically diagnosed mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This measure aims to capture the population experiencing persistent and likely severe mental health issues.

Frequent mental distress is associated with health conditions and risk factors for poor health, including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and insufficient sleep.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The prevalence of frequent mental distress among older adults is higher among:

• Females compared with males. 
• American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispani adults compared with white Black and Asian adults. 
• Those with less than a high school education, who have a prevalence twice that of those with a college degree. 
• Those with an annual household income less than $25,000, who have a prevalence nearly 2.5 times that of those with an income of $75,000 or more.

The odds of frequent mental distress are nearly 3 times higher among older adults with activity limitations (due to chronic conditions, physical disabilities, or mental or emotional problems) compared with older adults without activity limitations, and 2 times higher among older adults who reported that health care cost was a barrier to seeing a doctor compared with older adults without health care cost barriers. 

GOALS

Healthy People 2030 has an objective to increase the proportion of adults with mental health disorders who receive treatment to 68.8%.

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/mental_distress/state/IN Last accessed 11 July 2022 

WHAT WORKS?

Although some poor mental health days or occasional short periods of mental distress may be unavoidable, more prolonged and severe episodes are treatable and preventable through time-efficient screening procedures, early interventions and quality care. The National Institute of Mental Health provides resources for older adults who have depression, as well as information for older adults suffering from other mental health issues. The American Psychological Association recognizes the unique needs of older adults and has several resources available through their Committee on Aging, including information on geropsychology.

2021: Health: ODA: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (in.gov) (Last accessed: 11 January 2023)

2020: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/ pg 66 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)

2019: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/   pg 66 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)

2018: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/ pg 66 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)

2017: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/ pg 66 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)

2016: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/ pg 66 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)

2015: https://www.in.gov/health/oda/data-analysis-and-risk-factors/behavioral-risk-factor-surveillance-system/ pg 75 (Last accessed: 18 July 2022)