A national analysis reveals that Utah adults reported a nearly 18 percent increase in anxiety between 2022 and 2024, reflecting broader mental health trends driven by financial insecurity, social isolation, and constant exposure to negative news.
According to the Legacy Healing Center study based on CDC Household Pulse Survey data, more than 33 percent of Utahns reported experiencing anxiety symptoms in 2024, up from around 28 percent in 2022. This exceeds the national average of approximately 29 percent of U.S. adults reporting anxiety symptoms. Younger adults and working-age populations were among the most affected, with about 32 percent of teens nationally reporting anxiety symptoms and young females more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders than their male counterparts.
Dr. Ash Bhatt, a spokesman for the Legacy Healing Center, explained that what mental health professionals are observing is sustained anxiety driven by multiple factors. “When people feel uncertain about the future, the body stays in a state of stress. Over time, that becomes chronic anxiety,” Bhatt noted. Utah ranked as the 21st state in the nation for increased anxiety, with twenty other states reporting even higher anxiety rates ranging from 33.2 percent to 40.9 percent.
Mental health experts emphasize that anxiety is treatable, particularly through early intervention. Managing anxiety starts with small, consistent steps including improving sleep, limiting exposure to stress triggers and social media, and building routines that create a sense of control. Therapy, counseling, and medication can also make a significant difference when combined with lifestyle changes.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.cedarcityutah.com/life/national-study-finds-utahns-anxiety-has-increased-by-nearly-18-percent-since-2022/article_52751da5-f81d-5a28-89d5-cb7ed2bc7228.html