What is the least depressed state in the United States?

Hawaii consistently ranks as the state with the lowest depression rate in the U.S., followed by states like California, Illinois, Florida, and New Jersey, based on CDC data from recent years (2020-2022), with West Virginia having the highest rates. These figures reflect the percentage of adults who have ever been told by a healthcare professional that they have a depressive disorder.


What state has the lowest depression rate?

Among states, the age-standardized prevalence of depression ranged from 12.7% in Hawaii to 27.5% in West Virginia (median = 19.9%) (Table 2). The 10 states with the highest prevalence were (in descending order) West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vermont, Alabama, Louisiana, Washington, Missouri, and Montana.

Which US state has the best mental health?

There's no single "best" state, as rankings vary by report, but Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii consistently rank high for mental healthcare access and quality, with Vermont often cited for great access, insurance coverage, and low untreated illness rates, while New York leads in overall investment and expansion. States like North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Alaska, and Maryland also appear in top spots depending on the specific metrics used (e.g., cost, prevalence, youth support). 


What state is ranked lowest in mental health?

There isn't one single "worst" state, as different reports highlight various states due to different metrics, but Nevada, Texas, Alabama, and West Virginia frequently appear at the bottom for mental health care access or prevalence, with Nevada often ranked lowest overall by Mental Health America for overall well-being and care access, while Texas struggles with uninsured adults and provider shortages, and West Virginia faces high rates of unhealthy days. 

Where to live in the US if you have seasonal depression?

Key West, Florida

If you're suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the best move might be taking some time in Key West.


The State of Depression in America



What state is best for people with anxiety?

A new report ranks US states on rates of mental well-being and mental health care, and New York, Hawaii and New Jersey have outperformed the rest — in that order.

What is the hardest mental health to live with?

There's no single "hardest" mental illness, as it varies, but Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and Bipolar Disorder are often cited due to severe impacts on reality, emotions, relationships, and daily functioning, involving symptoms like hallucinations, extreme mood swings, intense emotional instability, impulsivity, and significant impairment in work/social life, often compounded by stigma and treatment challenges. 

What US city has the highest depression rate?

While rankings vary by study, Billings, Montana, often appears as the city with the highest rate of depression, with studies from around 2022 citing nearly one-third of its residents reporting a professional diagnosis, followed closely by areas like Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Other cities frequently cited with high rates include Charleston, WV, and Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY, often linked to economic hardship and limited mental health access, though recent data suggests factors like poverty and environment play significant roles across different locations. 


What is the #1 mental health problem in the United States?

The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder. Below is more information on these disorders and how ACCESS can help. Remember you are not alone, and medical experts are here to support you.

What is the ideal mental state?

What is 'ideal mental health'?
  • Positive view of the self.
  • Capability for growth and development.
  • Autonomy and independence.
  • Accurate perception of reality.
  • Positive friendships and relationships.
  • Environmental mastery – able to meet the varying demands of day-to-day situations.


What country has the best mental health system?

There's no single "best" country, but Sweden, Norway, and Germany consistently rank high for strong public systems with universal access, prevention, and work-life balance, while others like the Netherlands, Finland, and France also excel in integrating care, supporting primary settings, or offering specialized resources like digital tools. Key factors include accessibility, integration with general healthcare, focus on prevention, and positive societal aspects like green spaces and work-life balance, though even top-ranked systems face challenges like waitlists. 


What state has the highest rate of anxiety?

Key Observations
  • Highest Anxiety Rates: California (20.2%), Oregon (19.7%), and Nevada (19.6%) are among the states with the highest reported anxiety rates.
  • Lowest Anxiety Rates: North Dakota (17.5%), Hawaii (17.6%), and South Dakota (17.6%) have some of the lowest percentages of anxiety disorders.


Can exercise help with depression?

Yes, exercise significantly helps with depression by boosting mood-lifting chemicals like endorphins, reducing stress hormones, improving sleep, increasing energy, and enhancing brain function, acting as an effective complementary or standalone treatment, especially for mild to moderate cases, and can be as effective as medication for some individuals. Starting with enjoyable, moderate activity like walking, running, yoga, or strength training, and gradually increasing intensity, can make a big difference.
 

Where do the most depressed people live?

Depressive disorders are more common in urban than in rural populations and, in general, the prevalence is higher in groups with adverse socio-economic factors (for example in homeless people). Data on the relative prevalence of major depression among different ethnic groups have reached no clear consensus.


What is the easiest mental illness to treat?

Anxiety disorder is the most treatable of all mental illnesses. Anxiety disorder produces unrealistic fears, excessive worry, flashbacks from past trauma leading to easy startling, changes in sleep patterns, intense tension and ritualistic behavior.

What are the 5 C's of mental health?

The 5 Cs of mental health are a framework for well-being, but definitions vary, often including Connection, Coping, Compassion, Control, Confidence, Competence, Character, and Care, emphasizing building resilience through healthy relationships, self-belief, effective stress management, ethical behavior, and looking after oneself and others. While some focus on youth development (Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, Caring), others highlight daily life aspects like Connection, Coping, Compassion, Community, and Care, offering a guide to navigating life's challenges.
 

Do 90% of Americans feel we are in a mental health crisis?

90% of Americans believe there is a mental health crisis, according to a recent survey conducted by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Nearly 50% of those who believe there is a crisis also noted there was a severe mental health crisis in their own families.


What is the least happy city in the US?

The data set ranges from depression rate, to income-growth rate, to average leisure time spent per day. Cleveland will hold the title this year as the least happy city in America, finishing last out of all 182 cities surveyed.

What state has the worst depression?

While specific rankings change, recent CDC data shows higher depression rates in Southern states, especially Appalachia and the Mississippi Valley, with high prevalence in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi, often linked to socioeconomic factors, rurality, and health access, but data varies by year and source. 

What habits help depression?

New evidence shows that people who maintain a range of healthy habits, from good sleep to physical activity to strong social connections, are significantly less likely to experience depression.


What mental illness takes the most lives?

If you think depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder are the mental illnesses most commonly linked to an early death, you're wrong. Eating disorders—including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating— are the most lethal mental health conditions, according to research in Current Psychiatry Reports.

What mental illness causes the most suffering?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.

What are the signs of someone struggling with mental health?

Signs someone's struggling with mental health often involve changes in mood, thinking, and behavior, like persistent sadness, extreme irritability, withdrawal from loved ones, significant sleep/appetite shifts, loss of interest in hobbies, difficulty concentrating, or unexplained physical pains, with patterns of several new signs being more concerning than a single one. They might also show a drop in functioning at school or work, increased substance use, or exhibit paranoia, confusion, or thoughts of self-harm, signaling a need for professional support.