Colorado communities are constantly changing, so it’s no surprise that the many factors that influence mental health are dynamic as well.
Throughout the past decade, many of these social and economic factors, including income inequality, housing, uninsured rates, and unemployment, have changed in local communities. These changes have implications for people’s mental health.
The newest phase of Root Causes, an online project developed by the Colorado Health Institute in partnership with The Colorado Health Foundation, builds upon the site’s interactive maps and dashboards to explore how the factors that influence mental health can change over time.
Data tell us one thing, but stories can tell us even more. The latest update to the Root Causes site brings with it an even more local perspective. Stories and insights from the community help illustrate the connections between mental health and other dynamics in our communities.
A few highlights from the stories, which are available on the Community Highlights tab in the map application:
- The San Luis Valley has experienced a massive reduction in the number of people who are uninsured in the past 10 years, which is a huge win. However, positive changes in coverage don’t always translate to better mental health, so the community is searching for other solutions and approaches. You can find the San Luis Valley community story here.
- Housing costs in Sloan’s Lake, a neighborhood in northwest Denver, have nearly doubled in the past decade. Redevelopment and gentrification have shifted the dynamics of the neighborhood: Longtime residents whose incomes have not kept up with these rising costs have been significantly impacted. Addressing these dynamics and their impacts on mental health requires a holistic approach. You can find the Sloan’s Lake community story here.
The next phase of this project, set to launch later this year, will demonstrate the relative contributions of different factors on mental health in Colorado’s communities.
Root Causes’ goal is to clarify and elevate the many factors that influence a person’s mental health and to highlight the connection between health and equity in different areas of policy and community. The map and dashboards offer data that community organizations and other health stakeholders can use to understand these connections, how communities compare, and changes over time. By prioritizing resources in local communities to combat these interrelated issues, Colorado can begin to address the barriers to good mental health in its communities.
The Root Causes project is available at: https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/root-causes
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