The Utah Women and Leadership Project released a new research snapshot. “Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update” provides an updated overview of women’s mental health rates in Utah, analyzes contributing factors, and highlights current statewide efforts to improve mental health for girls, women, and their families. Some key findings include:
- Utah holds the second-highest percentage of adults (29.9%) living with any mental illness, not far behind Oregon (30.2%)
- According to 2023 Utah DHHS data, 26.1% of adults in Utah report ever being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder. Looking specifically by gender, 32.5% of women in Utah report ever being told by a health professional that they have depression, nearly double the rate of men (19.5%)
- 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
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Utahns report higher-than-average ACE scores, ranking seventh in the nation. Women are disproportionately impacted, with 18.3% reporting four or more ACEs—including 1 in 5 who experienced childhood sexual abuse. A score of four or more significantly increases the risk of poor mental and behavioral health outcomes.
- Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence: Utah ranks 7th in the U.S. for forcible rapes per capita and 46th for rape victimization among women. Additionally, 1 in 3 Utah women will experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking in her lifetime—factors that contribute heavily to mental health challenges.
- Discrimination: Gender-based discrimination can create both immediate and chronic stress, negatively impacting physical and mental health. It also increases the risk of other forms of gender-based victimization, including sexual assault and domestic violence.
