ConnectOC: Health & Wellness
Spotlight Issue: Youth Mental Health
Youth mental health represents one of most significant vulnerabilities to the health and well-being of our community.
Over the last two years, our community has seen:
28
increase in patients in Intensive Outpatient program (IOP).
30
increase in mental health visits to the CHOC Emergency Department in Orange.
71
increase in local requests for children's mental health services.
100
increase in the number of children under 12 in treatment at CHOC’s inpatient center for mental health needs.
108
increase in children/teens hospitalized for eating disorders.
Engagement Opportunities
You can make a difference!
Become a mental health advocate and champion. Learn more about the essential issue and workshops available through the resources at National Alliance on Mental Illness: Orange County.
Do you know someone who is in a mental health crisis? Connect them with 988, which provides 24/7, immediate and confidential text, chat, and call support from professional mental health providers.
Mark your calendar for OCCF’s Imagining Mental Wellness Giving Day so you can support local efforts to improve children’s mental health.
Progress has been made...
Over the last decade, 10.3% more Orange County residents have access to healthcare.
But more remains to be done…
Explore the additional areas of need are affecting the health and wellness of the Orange County community.
Children
In Orange County, economically disadvantaged 5th grade students are 150X more likely to be classified at health risk due to their body composition than economically advantaged 5th graders.
Only 67.8% of 3-11 year olds had their last dentist appointment within the last six months. Untreated cavities can cause pain, infections, and lead to problems eating, speaking, and learning.
In 2022, the only Orange County demographic that had an increase in their uninsured rate was children under 6.
More children are at risk for health issues given the lack of aerobic capacity today than in 2013.
Adults
The prevalence of diabetes in Orange County adults increased from 7.1 percent in 2019 to 8.3 percent in 2022. The death rate increased from 13.9 to 14.9 over the same time period, reaching a seven-year high.
Orange County’s overall drug-related deaths doubled over the last decade.
Older Adults
1 in 3 Orange County residents age 65 or older are diagnosed with cognitive impairment issues ranging from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s. Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent among Blacks and Latinos than other ethnic groups in the U.S.
Join Us in Learning More About Our Community
Search OC Nonprofit Central for organizations addressing the causes and issues closest to your heart.
