Nearly One in Three Arkansans Report Symptoms of Depression

In Arkansas, nearly one in three people, or 30.8%, suffer from clinically significant depressive symptoms, according to results from the new Arkansas Health Survey. That rate of depression is substantially higher than the recent 23.3% statewide estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Arkansas Health Survey provides a detailed portrait of physical and mental health across the state. Based on nearly 10,000 responses, the survey shows researchers and public health officials the prevalence of more than 30 different indicators, including tobacco use, obesity and alcohol abuse, in each of the state's 823 census tracts. 

Arkansas is only the second state, following California, to conduct an in-depth health survey to capture community-level insights. 

"Understanding poor mental health at the community level transforms how we think about prevention and care. It gives communities the evidence they need to build targeted, effective strategies to improve health and wellbeing," said Michael Niño, associate professor of sociology and principal investigator of the survey. 

The difference between the findings of the Arkansas Health Survey and the CDC may reflect a rise in depression across the state, but it could also result from how the two surveys measure mental health.

The CDC asks people if they have ever been diagnosed with a depressive disorder by a medical professional. While the Arkansas Health Survey uses an eight-item screening tool to identify whether people are currently experiencing symptoms of depression, regardless of whether they have received a formal diagnosis. 

"Most people who have or meet the criteria for depression do not get help from anybody, let alone a mental health provider," said Ana Bridges, Distinguished Professor in the U of A's Department of Psychological Science.

The Arkansas Health Survey measures not only overall prevalence but also reveals where the burden of poor health is most concentrated. 

For depression, most Arkansas counties are near the statewide average of 30.8%. Only three counties have rates of 35% or higher. When the data is examined at the census-tract level, however, the picture changes dramatically. Across the state, 140 census tracts have prevalence rates of 40% or higher, exposing pockets of mental health need that the county averages do not show. 

"What makes the Arkansas Health Survey so powerful is its ability to show variation that would otherwise remain invisible," Niño said.

Importantly, nearly 30% of these high-prevalence tracts are located in rural communities, where resources are often most limited.

"The real power of the Arkansas Health Survey is to link its results with other data to gather a three-dimensional picture of what's happening in a community, because depression is more of an environmental condition than a biological one," Bridges said.

Job losses, poverty or higher rates of infant mortality could be factors that lead to a greater prevalence of depression in a community. At the same time, identifying places in Arkansas with lower rates of depression could help researchers understand the conditions that promote better mental health.

The Arkansas Health Survey provides a foundation for building healthier communities. The findings will help policymakers, clinicians and community organizations tailor prevention and education campaigns to local populations. Annual updates of the survey will let state and community leaders evaluate progress over time. 

In early 2026, interactive maps from the survey will be available online through the AR-COMPASS dashboard.  

The Arkansas Health Survey was a collaborative effort between the U of A and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Both the survey and the forthcoming dashboard are housed within the Arkansas Health Equity and Access Lab at the U of A.