WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Mental health indicators in Kansas have shown a remarkable turnaround, with the State of Mental Health in America (MHA) 2024 report ranking Kansas 22nd in the nation, a significant leap from last place in 2023.
Key Findings from the MHA Report
The annual MHA report utilizes the most current public data to assess mental health across the United States. Its goal is to promote mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Notably, the latest report indicates substantial progress in children’s mental health, with Kansas improving its rank from 50th to 16th in just one year.
Improved Access to Services
Shantel Westbrook, Director of Clinical and Rehab Services at COMCARE, attributes this positive shift to the organization’s commitment to reducing wait times for mental health services. COMCARE aims to schedule appointments for individuals either the same day they reach out or the next day.
“We know that when the thought to reach out for services happens, when that first phone call or look on a website, people are… that’s really at the moment when they are most ready to do that. So we want to reduce any wait time,” Westbrook explained.
Challenges Remain
Despite the overall improvement in rankings, the report highlighted a concerning trend: the number of youth reporting at least one major depressive episode increased by 7,000. While Kansas moved up in its ranking from 35th to 27th in this category, the rise in youth depression may be attributed to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or a growing willingness among teens to acknowledge their mental health struggles.
Community Support and Services
COMCARE serves the Sedgwick County area by providing mental health and substance abuse services, reaching over 19,000 individuals in the community. The organization is primarily funded by Sedgwick County and also operates the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, available 24/7 for those in need.
With ongoing efforts and increased awareness, Kansas is taking significant strides toward better mental health outcomes for its residents, particularly among children and youth.
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