MENTAL &
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
Mental & Behavioral Health directly impacts well-being, productivity, and social stability. Understanding these dynamics helps communities address issues like rising depression rates and substance use, which affect public health and safety.
This data provides a comprehensive overview and highlights significant trends and changes in mental health diagnoses, substance use, and related behaviors.
For example, trends such as the marked decrease in smoking rates (-15.82% from 2022 to 2023) suggest successful public health efforts, while increases in indicators like alcohol-induced mortality signal areas needing urgent attention. Likewise, the rise in mental health provider rates (+5.58% from 2022 to 2023) emphasizes shifting societal patterns and resource availability.
The data underscores the complex interplay between mental health, behavior, and community well-being, guiding policy and resource allocation decisions.
The graphics below were frozen at the time of publishing the Consumer Progress Report in November 2024. To learn more about each indicator and view more information with recent updates through 2026, simply click on the charts, map, or graph to be directed to the NevadaTomorrow.org Community Data Portal, where you will see maps, charts, graphs, year-over-year comparisons, and more.
VIEW OR PRINT THE FULL REPORT
The Truckee Meadows Tomorrow 2024-2026 Community Progress Report published on November 12, 2024! It includes all 10 Quality of Life areas with the most important data points selected by our Data Advisory Group and TMT team. You will find the same indicators and summaries in each online QOL area with links to NevadaTomorrow.org.
Print it out and take it with you for easy reading and reference.
DIGGING INTO THE DATA
Broadly, the indicators of Mental and Behavioral Health can be grouped into six themes: mental health and depression, risk behaviors, social environment and support, substance use and abuse, suicide and self-harm, and violence and abuse. These indicators can also be considered through the lens of age groups to acknowledge the unique challenges faced at different life stages related to mental and behavioral health within a community.
Mental Health Provider Rate
The data on the mental health provider rate from 2019 to 2022 shows an upward trend in the availability of mental health services, as measured by the number of providers.
DATA BITES
More than 70 mental and behavioral health-related indicators are available on NevadaTomorrow.com.
Poor Mental Health for 14+ Days
High School Students Who Have Ever Been Insulted By An Adult
Percentage of adults in 2022 reporting poor mental health for 14 or more days in the past month.
Poor Mental Health for 14+ Days
High School Student Behaviors
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIORS
Recent data on student risk behaviors show concerning patterns. The percentage of high school students who rode in a car with a drunk driver increased by 2%, now affecting 22%, highlighting ongoing safety issues. Excessive electronic use among high schoolers rose by 5%, impacting 50%, which may affect mental and physical health. Among middle school students, those who have ridden with a drunk driver increased by 3%, reaching 18%. Additionally, the percentage of people not physically active grew by 4%, now at 34%, raising health concerns. Excessive electronic use in middle schoolers climbed by 6%, affecting 46%.
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AMONG YOUTH
Overall, both middle and high school students face significant challenges related to violence and abuse, with middle school students experiencing higher rates of electronic bullying and witnessing violence at home. High school students, while seeing some improvements in dating violence, continue to face issues with electronic bullying and verbal abuse. Almost two out of five middle school and high school students report being verbally abused by adults.
Depression and Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness
Medicare
Adults
Middle School Students
High School Students
High School Students Who Felt Sad or Hopeless
Middle School Students Who Felt Sad or Hopeless
SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM
The data on suicide and self-harm presents a complex picture of fluctuating trends in Washoe County. Among high school students, those who seriously considered suicide peaked at 23.6% in 2022, showing a significant rise from prior years. Suicide attempts in this group increased to 12.6% in 2022, up from 9.9% in 2020, indicating rising distress levels. Meanwhile, the intentional injury (suicide) mortality rate fluctuated, with notable decreases of 25.18% in 2018 and 10.10% in 2019, but saw an increase of 12.78% in 2020. Middle school attempts were reported at 5.9% in 2020. The age-adjusted suicide mortality rate showed a decline to 19.9 deaths per 100,000 by 2020.
SADNESS, HOPELESSNESS, AND DEPRESSION
The data reveals a troubling increase in feelings of depression, sadness, and hopelessness across various groups. Among adults, the percentage ever diagnosed with depression increased by 5% over the last reporting period, indicating growing mental health concerns. In the Medicare population, depression rates rose by 3%, underscoring vulnerability among older adults. High school students show a 4% increase in those feeling sad or hopeless, now affecting 40%, pointing to heightened emotional distress. Middle school students also experienced a 3% rise, with 28% reporting similar feelings.
COMMUNITY PROGRESS
SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE
The data on substance use and abuse reveal distinct trends across different age groups. These trends indicate a complex landscape of substance use and abuse, with some positive trends among younger populations, such as reduced alcohol and cigarette use, contrasted by challenging increases in adult marijuana use and mortality rates related to alcohol and drugs.
LIQUOR STORE DENSITY
The data on liquor store density from 2012 to 2022 suggests a decreasing density of liquor stores, with significant declines after the peak in 2014. Overall, decreasing liquor store density can be part of a broader public health strategy to improve community well-being and address mental and behavioral health challenges.
Liquor Stores Per 100,000 Population
Nevada
Washoe County
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Various initiatives and efforts in the Truckee Meadows Region aim to improve mental health infrastructure, awareness, and access.
Washoe County
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Behavioral Health Leadership: The appointment of a dedicated administrator in 2024 aims to enhance the strategic coordination of mental health services, fostering efficiency and integration across county programs.
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West Hills Behavioral Health Hospital: Progress toward reopening by 2026 will expand local mental health treatment capacity, addressing a crucial service gap.
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Jail-Based Mental Health Program: The expansion of this program has improved mental health support within the justice system, aiming to reduce recidivism by addressing inmates' mental health needs.
Washoe County School Board
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'Signs of Suicide' Program: This program targets seventh graders, successfully raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health support among students, leading to its extension.
Washoe County Children's Mental Health Consortium
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Youth Mental Health Summit: This summit has facilitated community engagement and education on youth mental health, promoting dialogue and shared solutions.
Congressional Action
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Tribal Access to Mental Health Services: Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto's advocacy aims to improve healthcare access for tribal communities, addressing longstanding disparities.
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University of Nevada, Reno
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Multi-Tiered System of Supports: This initiative aims to improve student mental health through comprehensive behavioral interventions, improving emotional and educational outcomes.
RESOURCES
Studies
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Renown Health Community Health Needs Assessment: Evaluates health needs in the community, focusing on enhancing healthcare services and outcomes.
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Washoe County Behavioral Health Profile: Provides an overview of the region's behavioral health trends and needs.
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Washoe County Community Health Needs Assessment: Identifies health priorities and resource gaps in Washoe County to guide healthcare improvements.
Strategies/Plans
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2023-2028 Silver State Health Improvement Plan: Statewide strategy to improve health services and address public health challenges.
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Washoe County Community Health Improvement Plan: Strategy to address identified health needs and improve community health outcomes.
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Washoe Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board Annual Report 2023: Details progress and initiatives in behavioral health policy and planning.
Organizations
