
1 HAYWOOD ST., SUITE 425
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
Survey Question: In general, how satisfied are you with your life? (Very Satisfied; Satisfied; Dissatisfied; or Very Dissatisfied) “Dissatisfied” includes those who answered either dissatisfied and very dissatisfied.
Approximately 10% of adults in WNC are dissatisfied with life. The following adult populations were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with life in 2021:
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
Differences in health outcomes across social groups, economic status, and racial/ethnic identity are closely linked with disparities in social determinants of health, which disproportionately burden individuals and communities who experience systemic disadvantage and/or discrimination. See our data story on the social determinants of health to learn more about how the conditions in which people are born, live, work, play, learn, worship, and age can influence their ability to achieve good health for themselves and their families.
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
(WNCHN – WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey, 2021)
In 2013-2014, a survey of North Carolinians found that almost 5% of adults had a serious mental illness within one year of being surveyed. This was an increase from the previous survey that took place 2010-2011.
The estimated number of adults in the U.S. with serious suicidal thoughts is over 9.8 million—an increase of 200,000 people since the last data set.
Serious mental illness costs America an estimated $193.2 billion in lost earning per year.
Source: WNCHN – Online Key Informant Survey, 2018
The information in this section should be interpreted and used with care. It should be used only to help local health departments and agencies begin to understand community perceptions about local health issues. Communities are strongly encouraged to collect their own, local-level data to inform local planning and evaluation activities.
“Our community has spent many hours collaborating and developing a strategic plan regarding behavioral health concerns. Agencies and community leaders are invested in making change occur and in helping our community become healthier.”
[A regional, comprehensive behavioral health care services agency], [a national grassroots, mental health organization], excellent youth programs in schools, camps, and county/private/nonprofit programs foster resiliency.”
“There are no resources available, and more and more people are experiencing mental health concerns because of media and technology.”
“Too many people go to jail or are involuntarily committed, which shows there are not services or current providers aren’t doing their job.”
The western North Carolina region includes 17 communities: 16 counties and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)
The regional dataset (WNC Healthy Impact Community Health Survey and Online Key Informant Survey) is available thanks to contributions from hospitals in the 16-county region of western North Carolina. Thank you!