Mental health is a topic that has garnered more public attention now than ever before. As years have passed, conversations about mental health issues ranging from poor self-care and the effects of that to serious conditions like schizophrenia and depression have continued to be discussed at length. This has helped to raise awareness about mental health issues and the people who experience them. In conjunction with mental health, the conversation about substance abuse has also made its way to the forefront, primarily because both mental health issues and substance abuse problems tend to occur hand-in-hand. In Tennessee, citizens face a number of challenges related to mental health and substance abuse, just as people from all over the United States do.
Mental health and substance abuse are two extremely important topics for the people of Tennessee to focus on, as both issues have created a number of challenges for those who live in this Deep South state.
Tennessee Mental Health Statistics
It is almost impossible to discuss Tennessee mental health statistics without mentioning depression. That is because in 2020, Tennessee ranked the highest for depression out of all 50 states in the country. A national survey conducted showed that Tennessee residents are more likely to report symptoms of depression than others, too. One of the most startling Tennessee mental health statistics is that 41.7% of the state’s population has depression.
Depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Apathy
- Pervasive feelings of sadness
- Guilt
- Hopelessness
- Lack of motivation
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Problems concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide
- Ruminating on thoughts
While these mental health statistics in Tennessee certainly are not all of the symptoms that people can experience when dealing with depression, they are some of the most common. When depression goes untreated, these and other symptoms can intensify in severity, creating problems for individuals in their personal and professional lives. The likelihood of people with depression turning to the abuse of drugs and alcohol to cope is much higher than those who do not experience this mental health condition, adding another layer of complexity to this popular mood disorder.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that 4.3% of adults ages 18 and older who live in Tennessee have mental health conditions like depression, as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Despite mental health conditions being a major problem in the state, Tennessee mental health statistics state that only 43.2% of Tennesseans with a mental health condition reach out for treatment.
Substance Abuse Statistics in Tennessee
Drug abuse in Tennessee is one of the most pressing public health concerns in the area. Rates of drug abuse and addiction continue to rise, presenting more challenges for the many communities in the state. Consider the following statistics relevant to the area:
- 5,029,476 opioid painkiller prescriptions were written to Tennesseeans in 2020 alone
- In 2019, there were 16,670 nonfatal overdose visits to outpatient facilities
- 7,240 non-fatal overdose inpatient stays occurred in 2019
- There were 3,032 total drug overdose deaths in 2020
Counties that experienced the highest rates of drug overdose deaths included:
- Montgomery
- Cheatham
- Robertson
- Sumner
- Davidson
- Rutherford
- Wilson
- Shelby
- Hamilton
- Blount
- Knox
- Anderson
- Sevier
- Washington
- Sullivan
In regards to alcohol abuse, approximately 15.8% of adults in Tennessee reported binge drinking compared to the national rate of 18.6%. In Tennessee, the hispanic population drinks to excess more than the national average, with 29.7% of this population drinking excessively in comparison to 19.4% nationwide. Additional statistics regarding excessive drinking in Tennessee include the following:
- 18.7% of college graduates drink excessively
- 21.7% of those making $75,000 or more each year drink to excess in comparison to 10.5% of those making $25,000 or less yearly
- Men in Tennessee drink nearly two-times more to excess than women (20.1% vs. 11.9%)
- Adults ages 18-44 drink to excess more than any other age group in Tennessee
In Tennessee, both drug and alcohol abuse and addiction impacts countless lives, as do mental health issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Treat Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Tennessee
Dealing with a mental health issue and/or a substance abuse problem can dramatically impact your life and the lives of your loved ones in several ways. We understand that those who are facing these challenges most often do not want to be trapped in a negative cycle of functioning but have difficulty breaking it on their own. That is why we are here to help.
At Arbor Wellness, we understand that it takes a village. We know that when you come to us, you are asking for support and guidance at an extremely vulnerable time in your life. You can trust us to not only give you that support and guidance, but also ensure that you are getting the appropriate treatment you need to start living a happier, healthier life.
Do not waste one more day struggling with mental health issues and/or abusing drugs or alcohol. Contact us right now at 866-771-1649 to learn more about how we can help you right now.
