Mental Health

Description: Mental health emerged as a primary health concern among Washtenaw County residents, with 68% of 2023 community survey respondents ranking it as a top issue. Focus groups and interviews with community leaders and residents underscored heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and isolation stemming from the lingering effects of COVID-19. Challenges in accessing mental health support were highlighted, particularly for youth. Individuals reported facing long wait times for appointments and a lack of local mental health service providers. Community members also shared about the impact of not feeling safe in their neighborhoods on their mental health. Additionally, there was a call for more inclusive services, specifically for people who speak languages other than English as their primary language.

What the data say:

  • In 2022, 37.6% of Washtenaw 9th and 11th graders reported feeling sad or hopeless every day for the past two weeks.
  • Over 26% of Washtenaw adults reported that they have been diagnosed with depression (2021).
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Compared to the prior value, Washtenaw (15.5%) is less and better than the previously measured value (16.2%). Compared to the prior value, Washtenaw (15.5%) is less and better than the previously measured value (16.2%).
Poor Mental Health: 14+ Days
(Compared to Prior Value)
Compared to MI Counties, Washtenaw has a value of 714 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 201 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 137. Compared to MI Counties, Washtenaw has a value of 714 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value higher than 201 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 137.
Mental Health Provider Rate
(Compared to MI Counties)
Over time, the Washtenaw value is decreasing, not significantly. Over time, the Washtenaw value is decreasing, not significantly.
Depression: Medicare Population
(Compared to Trend over Time)
Compared to MI Counties, Washtenaw has a value of 26.1% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 23.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.4%. Compared to MI Counties, Washtenaw has a value of 26.1% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 23.8% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.4%.
Adults Ever Diagnosed with Depression
(Compared to MI Counties)

County: Washtenaw

Themes from Interviews and Focus Groups

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Language barriers
  • Negative, lasting impact of COVID-19 and social isolation on mental health
  • Long wait times/lists to schedule appointment or become patient with mental health professional, need for more service providers
  • More support needed outside of appointments with providers
  • Youth mental health
  • Violence prevention/safety

"Language is a barrier for us because it could be that in the clinic they speak Spanish, but in the hospital, they don't speak Spanish. You may not have an interpreter on hand. So, how do I get others to understand me? Now, if the person looks and has help for mental health, many people don't like to have those kinds of therapies with an interpreter. So, also, in that aspect of mental health, we need a lot more therapists."

-- Interview participant

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In 2022, 19% of the Washtenaw Medicare population was treated for depression. This is higher than the Michigan (18%) and US (16%) values.

"The mental health issue, I think that's probably top for everybody... I think COVID really brought that to the top, especially in this just because there was so many people that were distrustful of what was going on... and I think that caused a lot of distress in the community. And I think that's beginning to heal. But I think it's always going to be there, I don't think that is a real resolution yet."

-- Interview participant