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MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is essential to a person’s well-being and is important at every stage of life. Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act. Behavioral health is an umbrella term that encompasses mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises, and stress-related physical symptoms. Mental and behavioral health care is a critical component of overall health care. Equitable access to mental health services for all community members is essential to ensure everyone can lead a healthy and productive life.
Inadequate access to mental health care providers and institutions can lead to significant and widespread consequences, including increased rates of mental illness, worsening of existing conditions, and heightened public health challenges. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), persons experiencing poverty, and LGTBQ+ community members often experience the greatest barriers to access, making existing inequities worse and undermining the collective social and economic stability of the community. Illnesses related to mental health include anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, and bipolar disorder.
Featured Resources
Change
Michigan Needs More Youth Mental Health Professionals. New Program Aims To Help.
Duggan, Chief White Push for Expanded Mental Health Services at Mackinac Policy Conference
Detroit Launches Mental Health Survey To Identify Residents’ Needs
First Mental Health Crisis Center of Its Kind Opens in Detroit
Pre-COVID, More Than Half of Detroit Students Felt Anxious or Depressed, 1 in 4 Considered Suicide
The intersection of housing and mental health is a critical area of focus in public health and social policy, as stable housing is fundamentally linked to mental well-being. Secure and adequate housing provides a foundation for individuals to lead healthy and productive lives. When people have a stable place to live, they experience reduced stress and anxiety, which are vital for maintaining mental health. Conversely, poor housing conditions or the lack of affordable housing can significantly contribute to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. The financial burden of expensive housing and the instability of frequent moves can lead to chronic stress, further exacerbating mental health issues.
Additionally, mental health issues can impact housing stability, creating a vicious cycle. Individuals with severe mental illnesses often face challenges in maintaining employment and stable housing due to their symptoms. Without adequate support, these individuals are at higher risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness itself is a traumatic experience that can worsen existing mental health conditions and make recovery more difficult. Effective interventions, such as supportive housing programs that integrate mental health services with stable housing solutions, have been shown to improve both housing stability and mental health outcomes. Addressing the intersection of housing and mental health requires a holistic approach that considers the intertwined nature of these issues and seeks to provide comprehensive support to those in need.
Find DATA
Behavioral Health Resource Map
Detroit Health Equity Dashboard
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive
Mental Health America: Adult Data 2022
City of Detroit Open Data Portal
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