Utah was ranked the sixth healthiest state in the nation, but data showed a statewide increase in mental distress.
The United Health Foundation released its America’s Health Rankings Report for the 2024 calendar year which included an overall assessment of the nation’s health as well as individual state data.
This year’s report ranked Utah as the sixth healthiest state in the nation, up three spots from 2023’s report which placed Utah at number nine.
Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said the age of Utah’s population played a major role in Utah’s high ranking.
“We are a very young state in terms of our population, so we have a lot of people who are younger compared to many other states. That right there gives us an edge, right?” Nolen said. “We're going to have people with less chronic health conditions, and generally, people tend to be more active when they're younger.”
Utah had the lowest reported inactivity, smoking and excessive drinking rates of all 50 states. However, the state ranked 34th for reported levels of frequent mental distress, revealing a 54% increase in reported levels of frequent mental distress between 2021 and 2023.
Rachel Lucynski, director of community crisis intervention and support services at the Huntsman Health Institute, said the COVID-19 pandemic likely influenced this increase in mental distress.
“I think looking at some of this within the last 10 years also includes a global pandemic. So collectively, certainly in the state, but also across the country, we saw a lot of challenges with people struggling with their own health,” Lucynski said.
Factors like Utah’s geography, cultural pressures and increased technology usage also help explain the levels of stress people experienced, Lucynski said.
Mental health is currently a big concern for her department, Nolen said. They are currently working to increase access to health care and encourage human connection.
“We are really trying to think of ways and invest in ways to get people to connect with each other and get good communities,” Nolen said.
This can be particularly important for those who live in more rural areas outside of the Wasatch front, she said.
Another way to spark change is to normalize conversations about mental health, Lucynski said.
“I would love to see health care providers, parents and members of the public continue to get more comfortable talking about mental health challenges,” Lucynski said.
Isaac Vazquez, a mental health counselor and owner of Safe Space Counseling in Provo, said that therapy has become more mainstream during recent years. Therapy is not just for moments of crisis and can be part of a person’s regular routine, he said.
“Don’t treat a therapist like a dentist. I call it the dentist syndrome,” Vazquez said.
Professional help coupled with improved exercise, eating habits and sleep can help those struggling with frequent distress, he said.
While there is still work to do, there is also a lot for Utahns to celebrate, Lucynski said.
“I feel really proud of the progress that's been made,” Lucynski said.
She encouraged people who might be struggling to reach out for help. People experiencing a crisis can download the SafeUT app where they can connect with licensed counselors ready to listen and help 24/7.
“It is really important to just let folks know about the resources that exist and that there's so much to live for," Lucynski said. "There's so much hope to hold on to."