31%

WHERE DO WE STAND?

In 2022, approximately 31% of adults in Travis County reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health in the past 30 days to surveyors from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Although the rate of adults who report poor mental health in Travis County has seen periods of decline,  the data show an increase of 10 percentage points from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, this indicator was at the highest rate in over 10 years.

On days where someone is experiencing poor mental health, they may experience stress, depression, and/or problems with emotions.  These challenges were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020.

A CLOSER LOOK

In 2022, most groups saw a decrease in the percentage of people reporting poor mental health. White adults in Travis County had the highest rate (35%), followed by Black adults (27%), and Hispanic adults (27%), and other/multiracial, non-Hispanic (23%). Poor mental health can include stress, depression, and emotional issues. The 2022 rates are higher than the 2018 rates for all groups.

MENTAL HEALTH BY SEX

On most years between 2018 and 2022, a greater share of women reported 5 or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days.  In 2022, 35% of Travis County women reported poor mental health. The only year where a greater share of men reported poor mental health was 2019.

MENTAL HEALTH BY INCOME

In 2022, 39% of low-income Travis County adults reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days, according to data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). An estimated 34% of middle-income, and 30% of upper-income Travis County adults reported experiencing five poor mental health.

MENTAL HEALTH BY AGE

An estimated 51% of Travis County residents between the ages of 18 and 29 reported 5 or more days of poor mental health over the past 30 days in 2022, an estimated 56% higher than the 2020 rate. Travis County adults aged 45-64 years reported an increase rate of poor mental health beginning in 2019. In 2020, three out of four age groups saw an increase in the percentage of people who reported 5 or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days.

MENTAL HEALTH BY EMPLOYMENT STATUS

In 2022, 36% of unemployed Travis County residents reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days, compared to 29% for folks who were employed. The trend in this drilldown shows variability but has generally increased over the past 5 years.

MENTAL HEALTH BY EDUCATION LEVEL

In 2022 the percent of Travis County adults with a high school diploma who reported poor mental health decreased to 37%. The rate of Travis County adults with some college who reported 5 or more days of poor mental health in 2022 was 36%. All three groups have seen an increase in this metric over the 2020 rate, but the high school graduate group’s rate increased the most.

MENTAL HEALTH BY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

In 2022, an estimated 32% of Travis County residents with health insurance reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days. In comparison, approximately 23% of Travis County residents without health insurance reported poor mental health. Although the Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act of 2008 should help make mental health treatment and support more accessible, significant barriers persist.

MENTAL HEALTH BY DISABILITY STATUS

In 2022, approximately 53% of Travis County residents who have a disability reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days, compared with approximately 26% of Travis County residents who do not report a disability. While there have been, over the past five years, decreases in the rate of Travis County residents without a disability reporting poor mental health (2019 and 2022 saw decreases over the previous year), there have been no such decreases for Travis County residents who have a disability.

MENTAL HEALTH BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION

In 2022, approximately 63% of Travis County residents who identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual reported experiencing 5 or more days of poor mental health over the previous month. In contrast, 25% of Travis County residents who identify as straight reported experiencing 5 or more days of poor mental health over the previous month.

In 2013 the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed questions to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity, and in 2014 began giving states the option to add these questions to their BRFSS questionnaires.

MENTAL HEALTH BY MARITAL STATUS

In 2022, an estimated 41% of Travis County residents who are not married reported experiencing five or more days of poor mental health within the past 30 days, compared to an estimated 22% of Travis County residents who are married.

Both groups (married, and unmarried Travis County residents) have seen increases in the rate of poor mental health over the past 5 years.