Which States are the Best for Mental Health?
How does your state compare to others when it comes to mental health concerns and care? Honey Lake Clinic has done the research.
Before analyzing where your state ranks among the others, it’s important to understand this most crucial data point: A majority of people in the U.S. with mental health issues aren’t getting the help they need. Research found that out of 40 million Americans with mental health concerns, some 56 percent aren’t receiving treatment for their conditions.
If you or someone you love is struggling, we can help. Call now to speak confidentially with one of our counselors, at (844) 747-7772.
Data
What goes into determining whether or not your state is reputable where mental health is concerned? Is it the prevalence of mental health concerns among residents? Is it the amount of resources a state has available for its residents? Is it about the most affordable care? The most easily accessible? Or is the answer found in a combination of these and other variables?
Mental Health America (MHA) recently released its annual State of Mental Health Report, which assesses the mental health status of U.S. youth and adults and ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on their effectiveness in addressing treatment needs, access, and outcomes.
According to Mental Health America, these fifteen data points are used to rank states:
- Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI)
- Adults with Substance Use Disorder in the past year
- Adults with serious thoughts of suicide
- Youth with at least one Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the past year
- Youth with Substance Use Disorder in the past year
- Youth with Severe MDE
- Adults with AMI who did not receive treatment
- Adults with AMI reporting unmet need
- Adults with AMI who are uninsured
- Adults with Disability who could not see a doctor due to costs
- Youth with MDE who did not receive Mental Health Services
- Youth with severe MDE who received some consistent treatment
- Children with private insurance that did not cover mental or emotional problems
- Students identified with Emotional Disturbance for an Individualized Education Program
- Mental Health workforce availability
Mental Health America’s criteria takes the combined scores of all 15 measures to make up a state’s overall ranking. A high overall ranking indicates lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care; a low overall ranking indicates higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.
Where Does Your State Rank?
Connecticut tops the list. Nevada ranks last. Based on Mental Health America’s metrics, people living in the Northeast are in a better region of the country for mental health care than people living in the Pacific Northwest. Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine are in the top ten, while Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington are all near the bottom of the list. Ranking all 50 states and the District of Columbia, here’s their list—
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Iowa
- New Jersey
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Maine
- Illinois
- South Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- New York
- North Dakota
- California
- Florida
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Texas
- Virginia
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Colorado
- Wyoming
- North Carolina
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- New Hampshire
- South Carolina
- New Mexico
- Kentucky
- Rhode Island
- Nebraska
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Montana
- Louisiana
- Georgia
- Washington
- Arizona
- West Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- Indiana
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Utah
- Nevada
While mental health and mental health services vary from state to state, the report shows that too many Americans lack mental health resources. Those numbers mentioned earlier: One in five U.S. adults—more than 40 million people—has a mental health disorder. 56.5 percent don’t receive mental health treatment. That’s 22.6 million American adults are not receiving the mental health support they need.
The Honey Lake Clinic Difference
Honey Lake Clinic has been called the #1 Christian Mental Health Program in the United States because of our experienced staff, licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric specialists understand that effective treatment for mental health concerns requires a multifaceted, faith-based approach, involving healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Our unique treatment programs specifically and deeply address all three spheres, offering you your greatest chance at wholeness and transformative growth.
Our holistic approach and a combination of key factors makes our mental health program at Honey Lake different from the others across the country. You’ll benefit from Honey Lake’s—
- Integration of a Bible-based approach and sound psychological principles
- Experienced, compassionate, and highly trained clinical staff
- Individualized treatment with a low caseload of patients per therapist
- Practical curriculum focused on decision-making mechanics and skills
- Emphasis on holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit
