Mental health data that helped us realize we are not alone is no longer as available as it was in the past.

Just because we cannot measure a problem does not mean that the problem goes away.

Even when the data disappears, we can stay grounded in what is real and in front of us.

If you’ve ever felt anxious or depressed and wondered, “Am I the only one struggling these days?” then this post is for you.

There is significant research that demonstrates that misery loves company. We feel just a little bit better knowing others are feeling what we feel, even when what we are feeling is bad.

In the past, we have been able to report data showing rates of anxiety or depression. In fact, it’s one of the greatest advancements in the public health system.

In America, we have the ability to identify rates of anxiety by demographics including age, gender, geographic location, and much more. National surveys report whether rates of depression have increased or decreased, and we use that data to make informed decisions about how to support our communities. We can even use that data to compare what is happening locally with what is happening around the country and the world.

Now, those numbers don’t actually solve all the problems of the world, but they quantify what people are experiencing and help us recognize that what we feel is real.

Sadly, with all that is happening in the world these days, government funding cuts are making access to this important data difficult to find. There are lots of reasons for this, including funding cuts, delays in payments while waiting for lawsuits to resolve issues, staffing changes due to executive orders, and other system interruptions. Some of these interruptions have resulted in data disappearing from government websites only to be reposted later, but with gaps in data.

What makes it difficult is that most of it is........

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