Notes

This is a Healthy New Jersey 2010 (HNJ2010) Objective.   Data for Whites, Blacks, and Asians do not include Hispanics. Hispanic ethnicity includes all races.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health

Data Interpretation Issues

Data from the New Jersey Risk Factor Survey are intended to represent non-institutionalized adults in households with telephones. Data are collected using a random sample of all possible telephone numbers. Prior to analysis, data are weighted to represent the population distribution of adults by age, sex, and "race"/ethnicity. As with all surveys, however, some residual bias may result from nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions) and measurement error (e.g., social desirability or recall). Attempts are made to minimize such error by use of a strict calling protocol (up to 15 calls are made to reach each household), good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Definition

Average number of days during the past thirty days when mental health was reported to be good.

Numerator

Total number of days during the past thirty days when mental health was reported to be good.

Denominator

Total number of survey respondents excluding those with missing, "Don't know/Not sure" and "Refused" responses.

Other Objectives

Healthy New Jersey 2010 Objective 4E-1: Increase the average number of days during the past thirty days when mental health was reported to be good to 28 for total population and 28.5 for adults aged 65 years and older.

How Are We Doing?

In 2010, the average number of days during the past thirty days when mental health was reported to be good was 26.6 for the total population and 27.5 for adults 65+. Responses from Asians and Pacific Islanders were above the target throughout the decade; however no other racial/ethnic or age group appears likely to achieve its Healthy New Jersey 2010 target.

What Is Being Done?

The New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health Services works to promote opportunities for adults with mental illness to maximize their ability to: seek and obtain treatment; live; work; socialize; and learn in the least restrictive environment with the appropriate therapeutic support.

Available Services

NJDHS Division of Mental Health Services: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/services/

Health Program Information

NJDHS Division of Mental Health Services: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/home/index.html