“Devastating!” Arizona Ranked 50th in Nation for Mental Health

The good news is Arizona isn't dead last on this list. The bad news is that we're close to the absolute bottom. When it comes to mental health, Arizona isn't looking great, and it's a rising concern.

Arizona’s Mental Health Ranking

The most recent report by Mental Health America ranks Arizona at 50th out of 51 in the nation for adult mental health care. The study looked at factors like how common mental illness is among Arizona citizens and how easy it is to access mental health care services in our state.

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Arizona landed near the bottom of the ranking, and the results spotlight the need for real change in Arizona's mental health care system. This devastating number would be lower, but Washington, DC, was included on the list. The only state ranked lower than Arizona is Nevada, which took the 51st slot.

READ: Arizona City Was Named the Worst Place to Live in Arizona

Where Does Arizona Fall Short?

Arizona falls short in some critical areas:

1. Access to Care: Arizona is more rural than many states on the list. The wide open spaces and lack of access to transportation can make it challenging to connect with mental health resources.
2. Affordability: Many Arizona residents struggle to find affordable mental health services in our state.
3. Inpatient Treatment: The Arizona State Hospital, the primary facility for severe mental health cases in Arizona, has been routinely criticized for employing undertrained staff; the general condition of the hospital, plus inadequate staffing levels and organizational transparency, have also been cited as problems with the facility.
4. Community Resources: When patients can connect with treatment, follow-up is often lacking in Arizona. According to a report by the Arizona Republic, there is a shortage of "community reintegration resources" that makes it hard to transition back into society after treatment.

Failing Mental Health and the Impact on Homelessness in Arizona

The mental health crisis in Arizona is closely tied to our state's homeless crisis. Almost 26% of Arizona's homeless are chronically homeless.

Homeless shelters routinely operate at or near capacity, which leaves many without a consistent place to stay. The factors lead to a constant cycle of mental health issues and homelessness that keeps circling on repeat, making it difficult to break free and find stable ground.

READ: Arizona May Pass Law Against Aggressive Panhandling

Arizona's Mental Health Needs Reform

The cycle isn't likely to change without a drastic overhaul and a focus on reform. Better funding and easier access to care could be a good start toward improving Arizona's overall mental health and repairing the cycle.

Sources: Mental Health America report | Arizona Republic | Arizona Public Health Association | Arizona Daily Independent