Which state has the most 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 states have the highest rates of depression?

West Virginia consistently ranks as having the highest rates of depression, followed by other Southern and Appalachian states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, with data from the CDC showing significant variation but a clear trend towards higher prevalence in these areas, linked to factors like economic distress and limited access to care. 

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 state in the US has the least depression?

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.
 

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.

Who are the most depressed people in the US?

The prevalence of a person having a major depressive episode tends to occur in 8.5% of women compared to 4.8% of men. In fact middle aged women actually have the highest rates of depression with the disorder being most prevalent among women age 40 to 59 years old.

Which country has the worst depression?

The United States typically reports higher rates of depression compared to many other nations. Contributing factors may include individualistic cultural values, socioeconomic stressors, and better access to mental health screening.

What is the happiest state in the US?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the happiest state in the U.S., followed by states like Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Utah, according to recent 2025 analyses by WalletHub, which considers factors like emotional well-being, work environment, and community. These top states often boast high life satisfaction, good health, strong economic security, and low depression rates, though rankings can vary slightly by report. 

What state has the worst mental health care?

While rankings vary slightly by report, Texas, Nevada, Alabama, and Arizona consistently appear as some of the worst states for mental health care, citing high uninsured rates, low access to providers, significant gaps in youth mental health services, and high prevalence of untreated mental illness. Other states like Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida also rank poorly due to similar access issues, with Texas frequently topping lists for its barriers to treatment. 

What is the number one cause of depression in the US?

There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.

What are five causes of depression?

Depression is a complex condition with multiple causes, including biological, psychological, environmental, medical, and substance-related factors. Understanding these causes can help in identifying risk factors and developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

What is the least happy city in America?

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. A closer examination of the numbers shows how Cleveland ranked in several key categories: No.

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.

Which state has the most mental illnesses?

There isn't one single answer, as different reports highlight different states, but West Virginia, Alabama, and Utah frequently appear as having high rates of mental illness or poor mental health, while states like New York, Hawaii, and New Jersey often rank best for mental well-being and access to care. Rankings vary based on the specific measures used, such as prevalence of disorders (like depression or substance use), unmet treatment needs, or reported mentally unhealthy days. 

What major has the most depression?

Who took the No. 1 place as the most stressful major? Students studying in medicine-related fields led the pack. Right behind them were the law, social work, and engineering majors.

What is the least depressed state?

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 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 president took away mental hospitals?

President Ronald Reagan is widely associated with the deinstitutionalization movement that led to the closure of many large mental institutions by shifting mental health care to community-based settings, starting with his actions as California Governor in the 1960s (signing the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act) and continuing with federal policy changes, notably repealing the Mental Health Systems Act (MHSA) in 1981, which reduced federal funding for community care, leaving states responsible. While the trend began earlier with President Kennedy's push for community centers, Reagan's actions significantly accelerated the closure of state hospitals and altered funding, contributing to increased homelessness and incarceration for those with mental illnesses. 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What is the most stressful state to live in?

New Mexico tops the list of most stressed states in the U.S. as of 2025, with a stress score of 60.52 out of 100. This ranking considers stress factors related to work, money, family, and health and safety.

Which state has the nicest people?

There's no single "nicest" state, but studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming as top contenders for friendliness, based on factors like tourist impressions and acts of kindness. Other states like Hawaii, Iowa, and parts of the South (like Kentucky, North Carolina) are also frequently praised for their welcoming and kind residents, though perceptions of niceness can vary by individual and region.
 

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.
 

Is depression a disability?

Yes, clinical depression is considered a disability under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and can qualify for Social Security benefits, as it's a recognized medical condition that can substantially limit major life activities, but eligibility depends on the severity and impact on your ability to work, requiring documentation from doctors to prove significant impairment. It's a legitimate medical disorder, not a weakness, and offers protections against workplace discrimination and potential financial assistance if it prevents you from working. 

Who suffers the most from depression?

Depression is about 1.5 times more common among women than among men. Worldwide, more than 10% of pregnant women and women who have just given birth experience depression (2).