Mental Health and Substance Use

Nearly one in six people in Orange County report needing help with mental, emotional, or substance use problems. Mental health disorders and chronic substance use are associated with increased risk of diseases and health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, cancer and unintended injuries.

What is the state of mental health in our community?

According to the Hoag 2022 Community Needs Assessment report, behavioral and mental health was identified as a significant concern in the community. Nearly a quarter (23%) of the community survey respondents indicated that the most pressing health need in their household was emotional well-being. Furthermore, when asked about the most pressing health need in their communities, focus group and interview participants overwhelmingly cited behavioral health.

In the Orange County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 2020 survey, it was found that mental health and substance use disorders were among the top priorities in seven service areas: behavioral health system navigation, outreach & engagement, outpatient treatment, crisis services, non-emergency treatment, supportive services, and stigma & discrimination reduction.

Older Adults Needing Help With Mental and Substance Use Problems

Why is this important?

Psychological distress and substance use can affect all aspects of our lives. It is important to recognize and address potential psychological issues before they become critical. Mental disorders are common across the United States, but only a fraction of those affected receive treatment. Substance use has negative consequences at both the individual and societal level. They are serious problems, and treatment is available at both inpatient and outpatient levels.

  • Percentage of Adults Needing Help With Mental, Emotional or Substance Abuse Problems

    19.8%
    Orange County
  • 21.2%
    California

Source: California Health Interview Survey, 2019-2020.

Adults Needing Help with Mental or Substance Use Problems (measurement period: 2009-2019)
Orange County

Adults Needing Help with Mental or Substance Use Problems (measurement period: 2009-2019)

Source: California Health Interview Survey, 2009-2019.

Adults in the youngest age group were significantly more likely than the overall Orange county population to need behavioral health treatment or services. The oldest Orange County population, in contrast, is least likely to need services.

Adults Needing Help with Mental or Substance Use Problems by Age (2019)
Orange County

Adults Needing Help with Mental or Substance Use Problems by Age (2019)

Source: California Health Interview Survey, 2009-2019.

Mental Health among Older Adults

Psychological distress can affect all aspects of our lives. For older adults, they experience the loss of independent living, limited mobility, chronic pain, or other mental or physical problems. Further, older people are more likely to experience bereavement events, socioeconomic status change with retirement, or a disability. It is important to recognize and address potential psychological issues before they become critical.

Percent of Orange Adults Age 60 or Older Who Experienced Psychological Distress in the Past Year, by Characteristic, 2020

Percent of Orange Adults Age 60 or Older Who Experienced Psychological Distress in the Past Year, by Characteristic, 2020

Source: Let’s Get Healthy California, 2020.

Which of the following significantly impacts your health?

In 2021, AdvanceOC, in partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency and several community-based organizations, published the COVID-19 Needs Assessment and Community Health Survey, which illuminated numerous social and health disparities across the county.

When asked about what significantly impacts their health, living in constant stress was the factor most often cited by survey respondents. 45.8% of total respondents said they lived in constant stress. Almost 44.0% of survey respondents selected the need for a better paying job. The two are not unrelated as financial insecurity is the biggest source of stress experienced by many Orange County families.

Factors That Significantly Impact Health

Factors That Significantly Impact Health

Source: 2022 Report on COVID-19 Needs Assessment & Community Health Survey.

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Suicide

Why is this important?

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, presenting a major, preventable public health problem. More than 33,000 people kill themselves each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020), however, suicide deaths only account for part of the problem. An estimated 25 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death, and those who survive suicide may be left with serious injuries or scars, in addition to having depression and other mental problems. Other repercussions of suicide include the combined medical and lost work costs on the community, totaling to over $30 billion for all suicides in a year, and the emotional toll on family and friends. Men are about four times more likely than women to die of suicide, but three times more women than men report attempting suicide. Suicide occurs at a disproportionately higher rate among adults 75 years and older.

The Healthy People 2030 national health target is to reduce the suicide rate to 12.8 deaths per 100,000 population. In 2018, 10 in 100,000 Orange County residents committed suicide.

  • Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Suicide Per 100,000 Population

    10.0
    Orange County
  • 10.6
    California
  • 13.9
    The United States of America

Source: California Department of Public Health, 2016-2018.

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Suicide (measurement period: 2007-2018)
Orange County

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Suicide (measurement period: 2007-2018)

Source: California Department of Public Health, 2007-2018.

Substance Abuse

Why is this important?

According to the Orange County Drugs and Alcohol Report, drug and alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise since 2009 with higher increases during the pandemic year. Drug-related deaths in particular increased by 60% from 2019 to 2020, resulting in a sharp overall increase in substance-related deaths. Among different age categories, young adults ages 15-24 years old had the largest increase in substance related deaths from 2019 to 2020 with a 165% increase.

  • Age-Adjusted Death Rate by Drugs and Alcohol Per 10,000 Population

    6.3
    Orange County
  • 6.1
    California
  • 4.9
    The United States of America

Source: California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, 2019.

Age-Adjusted Death Rate by Drugs and Alcohol (measurement period: 2009-2020)
Orange County

Age-Adjusted Death Rate by Drugs and Alcohol (measurement period: 2009-2020)

Source: Orange County Health Care Agency, 2009-2022.

Age-Adjusted Death Rate by Drugs and Alcohol by Age (measurement period: 2009-2020)
Orange County

Age-Adjusted Death Rate by Drugs and Alcohol by Age (measurement period: 2009-2020)

Source: Orange County Health Care Agency, 2009-2022.

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Prescription Opioid Overdose

Why is this important?

Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body. Common opioids include heroin and prescription drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Opioid abuse is a serious public health issue, but preventive actions, limiting the number of opioid prescriptions, and treatment for addiction can help.

The majority of drug overdose deaths in the United States involve an opioid, and at least half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. Since 1999, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioid pain relievers) has nearly quadrupled nationwide. According to the CDC, overdoses from prescription opioid pain relievers were a driving factor in the increase in opioid overdose deaths.

  • Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Prescription Opioid Overdose Per 100,000 Residents

    6.3
    Orange County
  • 6.1
    California
  • 4.9
    The United States of America

Sources: California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, 2019 & Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, 2020

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Prescription Opioid Overdose (measurement period: 2014-2019)
Orange County

Age-Adjusted Death Rate Due to Prescription Opioid Overdose (measurement period: 2014-2019)

Source: California Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard, 2019.

Learn more about health in our community

Select a health factor below to learn more about how our environment, our social context, and our behaviors impact our health. You'll also find local resources to improve health for you and your family!

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

The CHIP is a community driven health improvement plan for Orange County.

Access and System Navigation
Access and System Navigation

Access to health care impacts an individual's overall health.

Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health

Healthy behaviors and access to health care.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Prevention and management of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Older Adult Health
Older Adult Health

Orange County's older adult population is projected to grow rapidly.

Sexual Health
Sexual Health

Orange County's disparities in teen pregnancy and STIs have significant implications.