Mental health access and provider ratios

Mental health access, including provider ratios, is one of six priority areas identified in the 2022 Snohomish County Community Health Assessment.

Behavioral and mental health includes a broad range of elements that are part of overall wellness. It includes feelings and behaviors related to life stressors and crises, and can include substance use and misuse. It also includes prevention, diagnoses, and treatments for those concerns.

The percentage of Snohomish County adults who had zero poor mental health days in a 30-day window decreased each year from 2017 to 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage of adults reporting 1-13 days or 14+ days of poor mental health increased.

One simple survey, often called the K6 scale, uses a series of six questions about mental wellness. The percentage of adults in Snohomish County who meet the K6 definition for a serious mental illness roughly doubled from 2015 to 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CHA?

A Community Health Assessment is done every 3 to 5 years. It is one part of a data-driven process focused on improving community health. By first understanding what the top health-related issues are, public health and community partners can then take a deeper dive into learning about those top issues and creating a plan to help improve health outcomes. For the Health Department, the next step is known as a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Local public health has conducted a CHA every 3-5 years since 2009 in Snohomish County. The last one was done in 2018.

How was the CHA done?

Epidemiologists with the Health Department analyzed data on a wide variety of health indicators, including rates of illness and disease, causes of death, health risks and promotive behaviors, and social and environmental determinants of health. From October to December 2022, the project team presented data to a 15-person committee consisting of community members representing cities, schools, healthcare, nonprofits, human services, libraries, community organizations, and the Tulalip Tribes.

Epidemiologists then systematically reviewed the data and re-presented to the data committee with 40 indicators that showed need for improvement. Over the course of three voting rounds and discussion, the committee narrowed down to the top six health priorities.

What’s next?

Illustration of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan cycle The 2022 Snohomish County Community Health Assessment is part of a four-step CHA/CHIP process.

Assess health of the community using indicators
Analyze and prioritize health issues
Develop and implement a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Evaluate the process and outcomes.

The cycle repeats every 3-5 years. The first two steps are accomplished in the CHA. In 2023, the Health Department will begin work on the CHIP.

How can people provide feedback about the CHA?

An online form is available to submit feedback. Please click here to complete the form.

View All

Mental health access and provider ratios

Contact Us

Assessment