An investigation into the prevalence and perceptions of mental health disorders in Appalachian West Virginia

Introduction: Appalachian West Virginia’s population is disproportionately afflicted by mental illness, with Logan County having the highest depression rates in the United States. To further understand the mental health situation in Appalachian West Virginia, this research study aims to evaluate the prevalence and perceptions of mental health disorders among patients of Coalfield Health Center. Methods: An online survey was administered to patients at Coalfield Health Center containing 25 questions categorized into three parts: demographic, beliefs/perceptions about behavioral health, and behavioral healthcare access. Findings: The data demonstrated that 37% of participants had received a mental illness diagnosis and 82% knew someone with a mental illness. Nearly 10% of participants denied having reliable transportation or health insurance coverage. Patients reported lacking mental health knowledge and a majority indicated a need for mental health education. Conclusions: The data affirm a high prevalence of mental illness in Logan County, with barriers to care including a negative community perception, low socioeconomic status, lack of access to resources, and low health literacy.