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County survey shows rising poor‑mental‑health days and persistent loneliness in some ZIP codes
Summary
Summit County presented results from its 2026 community mental‑health survey (sample 1,070). Respondents reported increases in poor mental‑health days (66% reported at least one in prior 30 days), persistent loneliness concentrated among younger adults, women, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ residents, and substance‑use impacts were high; staff recommended targeted outreach, stigma reduction and awareness of existing low‑cost services.
Summit County staff and the Mental Wellness Alliance presented the 2026 Community Mental Health and Behavioral Health survey to the council, highlighting both positive trends and notable areas of concern.
The survey combined randomized phone sampling and an online community link for a total sample of 1,070. Presenters said the sample closely matched county demographics. Key findings included high community trust (about 90%) and growing identification with the county as part of personal identity (up from 47% in 2021 to roughly 60%). However, the presentation highlighted an alarming increase in self‑reported poor mental‑health days: 66% of respondents reported one or more poor mental‑health days in the last 30 days, up from earlier cycles. The alliance stressed loneliness as a persistent issue—particularly in Park City’s POA ZIP code (19% reporting often feeling isolated compared with an 8% county average) and among women, younger residents, Hispanic respondents and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Access and barriers were discussed: 67% of residents reported awareness of services but roughly 27% of respondents who needed services last year were unable to access them; cost, lack of providers, and not knowing where to go were listed as the top barriers. The survey also looked at substance use: 61% reported being negatively affected by their own or someone else’s substance use; heavy and binge‑drinking metrics were notably higher in certain ZIP codes (Park City/Basin Rec areas). Presenters recommended a multi‑pronged approach—continue public awareness and anti‑stigma campaigns, target outreach to groups with high disparities, and coordinate with providers and funders to address access gaps.
Council members asked about survey content (for example, marijuana questions were removed to preserve comparability across partner communities) and next steps; staff said they will convene with the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and other partners for implementation planning and further analysis.
