1 in 3 Phoenix residents report depression as their biggest health issue, survey says
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
“Smiles Are Not Always Real” by a Wilson College Prep High School student identified only as Gabriela S. won first place in the city of Phoenix’s Mental Health Awareness Month teen art contest.
One in three Phoenix residents report depression as the most significant health issue affecting them and 55% of city residents report having difficulty accessing mental health care.
“In my opinion, that is a dangerous combination,” Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington said during a Community Services and Education Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday.
Those statistics are according to a Maricopa County health needs assessment survey. Other data from the survey shows a lesser rate nationally: only 1 in 5 Americans experience mental illness each year.
This graphic shows key results of a Maricopa County health needs assessment survey.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
Phoenix Human Services Director Jacqueline Edwards highlighted what the city has done during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. It’s the second annual Mental Health Awareness Month since the city observed it for the first time in 2025.
Edwards said that while the city does not provide mental health services itself, it’s main goal is to make residents aware of the services available in the community.
“Our focus through the Mental Health Matters campaign is making sure that the nonprofits and other agencies throughout our community are known to our residents,” Edwards said.
One nexus to those services is the city’s Phoenix.gov/MentalHealthMatters web page.
Edwards also recommended the nonprofit Solari as a one-stop shop that can connect residents to the applicable mental health resources. It can be reached at 988 for mental health emergencies and 211 for non-emergencies or at solari-inc.org.
The biggest event of Mental Health Awareness Month was a Community Resource Fair at the Helen Drake Senior Center on May 14. Seven city departments and 45 vendors from the community connected attendees to resources.
Edwards said one success story was a person who came to the resource fair facing mental health issues coupled with facing eviction.
“We were able to quickly connect with services to help hopefully bring them some stability, both in their home residence but also stability in their mental perspective and how to deal with these crises,” Edwards said.
Also during Mental Health Awareness Month, city officials lit up City Hall green for the first time on May 6 to promote the month, and city employees were encouraged to wear green on the day. The city put mental health promotional posters on the sides of trash trucks. The Human Services Department promoted a mental health fact on social media every day. Many library branches had a “Mental Health Matters” book display.
The city conducted mental health related training sessions, including suicide prevention, for many employees. The city also partnered with the nonprofit Teen Lifeline for a public webinar on May 20 and also conducted mental health training regarding young children for parents in the city’s Head Start program.
“Ascend” by a Desert Foothills Junior High School student identified only as Alia L. won second place in the city of Phoenix’s Mental Health Awareness Month teen art contest.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
The city also hosted a teen art contest on the topic of mental health. It received 64 submissions, which was a record for the city. The first-, second- and third-place winners, along with honorable mentions, have been on display in the City Hall atrium.
Councilmember Anna Hernandez said she has heard from parents that they want to see more mental health services available in Phoenix high schools.
“Keyhope” by a BASIS Phoenix student identified only as Aaratrika M. won third place in the city of Phoenix’s Mental Health Awareness Month teen art contest.
(Courtesy city of Phoenix)
Hodge Washington encouraged year-round promotion of mental health services, saying the need doesn’t disappear at the end of May.
Edwards agreed, saying the city promotes its Mental Health Matters webpage and resource connection services throughout the year, particularly at strategic dates, such as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September.
Staff will also continue to share mental health brochures with residents at community events throughout the year.
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Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.
Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.
Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.
Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.
Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.
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