Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update

In this episode we discussed a recently released research snapshot titled “Utah Women and Mental Health: A 2025 Update.” This research provides an updated overview of women’s mental health in Utah, drawing on recent statewide data and analysis to better understand current rates, contributing factors, and efforts to improve well-being for girls, women, and their families. Findings show that Utah ranks second in the nation for adults living with any mental illness, with women reporting depression at nearly double the rate of men. The research also highlights underlying factors such as adverse childhood experiences, sexual violence and domestic abuse, and gender-based discrimination, all of which significantly impact women’s mental and behavioral health. Together, these insights offer a clearer picture of the barriers Utah women face and set the stage for strategies and solutions we’ll explore further.

Dr. Susan Madsen, a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and A Bolder Way Forward, is joined by Sadie Wilde, the lead author of the report and a Professional Practice Assistant Professor at Utah State University Extension.