Based on a 2025 WalletHub report, Utah is ranked the 4th happiest state in the nation, which suggests that Utahns are experiencing favorable mental health. However, the rankings also show that Utahns do not perform as well in the emotional and physical well-being category. Recent data finds that Utah holds the second-highest percentage of adults (29.9%) living with mental illness, not far behind Oregon (30.2%). These statistics emphasize that mental health remains a pressing issue for many Utah residents.
The Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) recently published a research report, Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update. The report builds on 2017 research and incorporates new data and trends. Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges in Utah.
“Mental health remains a significant concern for women in Utah, with rates of depression and other mental health conditions higher than national averages,” said Susan Madsen, co-author of the report, director of the UWLP, and a professor of organizational leadership in the Huntsman School of Business at USU. “Many factors contribute to these numbers, including gender, social isolation, socioeconomics, racial disparities, violence, and gender-based discrimination, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy to improve the mental health of Utah women.”
The following information can help Utahns understand the relationship between Utah women and mental health in 2025.
Current Status of Mental Health in Utah
According to the most recent data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 26.1% of adults have been told by a healthcare professional that they have a depressive disorder. A deeper look at the data reveals a troubling trend for Utah females: 32.5% of women report being diagnosed with depression, nearly double the 19.5% reported by men. Additionally, a concerning number of Utah women – especially those ages 18 to 34 – reported experiencing more than seven days of poor mental health the previous month.
Unfortunately, the data seem to worsen among younger Utahns, as 42.4% of female youth reported feeling sadness or hopelessness for at least two consecutive weeks, compared to 25.8% of young men. Rates of poor mental health are exceptionally high among young women who are Hispanic/Latina (49.3%), American Indian/Alaska Native (47.5%), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (45.6%).
Factors Surrounding Mental Health Issues
Ongoing research has explored and established several demographic factors that are associated with poor mental health in women, including poverty, lower education levels, physical health problems, and adverse life events related to safety and security. Unfortunately, Utah has worse than the national average in several areas of women’s safety and security.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Utahns’ exposure to four or more ACEs is above the national average – the 7th-highest ACE score in the U.S. Women are disproportionately impacted, and 18.3% of Utah women report experiencing four or more ACEs – which includes the 1 in 5 Utah women who report having experienced childhood sexual abuse. This is significant, as an ACE score of four or more increases the likelihood of negative impacts on mental and behavioral health.
- Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence: Utah is ranked 7th in the nation for the number of forcible rapes per capita and one of the worst states (46th) for the prevalence of rape victimization among women. When combined with Utah’s rates of domestic and intimate partner violence (1 in 3 Utah women will experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking in her lifetime), it would make sense that Utah women and girls experience challenges with mental health.
- Social Isolation and Disconnection: The COVID-19 pandemic’s need for social distancing may be over, but the forced isolation ushered in a new era of research into the impact of feeling socially disconnected. Mental health symptoms and social isolation have a reciprocal relationship, as depression, anxiety, and higher levels of perceived stress are associated with increased feelings of loneliness. In fact, in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared disconnection and loneliness as a public health crisis, calling for prioritizing the building of social connection and community.
- Discrimination: Discrimination can be both an immediate and chronic stressor, with numerous implications regarding physical and mental health. Gender-based discrimination results in accumulated effects, but it may lead to other gender-based victimization, such as domestic violence or sexual assault.
Efforts to Address Mental Health in Utah
Various Utah agencies support strategies to improve mental health among Utahns, including the Utah Department of Human Services Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Live On Utah Campaign, the Utah Well-being Project, Trauma Informed Utah, and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. These agencies and initiatives offer resources, support, and recommendations to bring more change and acknowledgement to mental health in the state. In addition, A Bolder Way Forward, a UWLP initiative, is working with leaders and partners to improve mental health resources and services for women, and address root causes, honing in on reducing sexual and physical violence, providing workforce development, and expanding opportunities for education.
“By enhancing awareness and support systems, we can more effectively address the mental health challenges Utah women face,” said Madsen. “This will ultimately lead to healthier and stronger families and communities in our state.”
Kolene Anderson, Sadie Wilde, and Chloe Bohmick are also co-authors of the report.
The “A Bolder Way Forward” initiative provides opportunities for Utahns to learn and contribute to meaningful change across 18 areas. For more information, visit the UWLP website at utwomen.org. The UWLP is also affiliated with USU Extension.