Social connections among persons with and without mental health-related disabilities, 2020

Persons with mental health-related disabilities were less likely than those without mental health-related disabilities to have three or more close friends and relatives. Those with mental health-related disabilities were also less likely to have ten or more local contacts. Level of satisfaction with contact with friends and with relatives was lower for persons with mental health-related disabilities than persons without mental health-related disabilities. One-third of persons with mental health-related disabilities were socially connected, meaning they had three or more close friends, three or more close relatives and ten or more local contacts. Socially connected persons with mental health-related disabilities were more likely to report positive ratings for self-rated mental health and general health, to be satisfied with life, and to have a strong sense of belonging to their community.