States with the highest rates of depression

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Those who suffer from it are at much greater risk for things like metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and the global economy loses $1 trillion in lost productivity every year to anxiety and depression disorders alone. Substance abuse is more prevalent among people with depression, as is suicide. Young people, who are more than twice as likely to drop out of school when they suffer from depression, are especially vulnerable.

That was all bad enough before the COVID-19 pandemic created economic and social conditions that were ripe for a quieter but equally crushing medical crisis to emergein mental health. That crisis has arrived in the form of a dramatic nationwide spike in cases of depression and anxiety since the arrival of the virusand its not hard to understand why. Many who were struggling before the pandemic, and even many who werent, were pushed toward depression by months of stress, isolation, loss of control, change, instability, and uncertaintyall of which played out against a backdrop of frightening social unrest.

Rates of depression, however, vary considerably from one state to the next. Here, Stacker examines the prevalence of depression in every state in America and then breaks down those findings by key demographics like sex, race, and income.

To determine the states with the highest rates of depression, Stacker used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. All 50 states and Washington D.C. are ranked based on the share of the sampled population that reported a depression diagnosis in 2019, with one exception: 2018 data was used for New Jersey due to the unavailability of 2019 data for this state. The national median for diagnosed depression rates is 19.9%.

Its important to note that the findings exclude the time of the pandemic and do not represent the dramatic uptick in casesparticularly in major depressive episodesthat many states are reporting.

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- Population diagnosed with depression: 11.8% (40.7% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 8% rate for men; 15.2% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 13.7% rate for White population; 10.4% rate for Black population; 11.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 19.8% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 17.9% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; % rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 8.8% rate for $50,000+ earners

New Jersey consistently ranks at or near the very top of the list in terms of states with the lowest rates of depression. That fact confounds experts who study the issue, according to the Bridgewater Courier News, because New Jersey tends to rank poorly in terms of access to mental health care. Generally, the level of access to care closely correlates with depression rates.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 12.8% (35.7% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 10% rate for men; 15.5% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 16.9% rate for White population; 20.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 7.6% for Asian population

- Breakdown by household income: 17.5% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 13.6% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 13.6% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 10.2% rate for $50,000+ earners

Like New Jersey, Hawaii occupies a perennial home at or near the bottom of the list in terms of depression rates. In another correlation with New Jersey, Hawaiis rankings are striking considering that the state is also known for its low access to care.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 15.3% (23.1% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 11.5% rate for men; 18.8% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 17.6% rate for White population; 12.6% rate for Black population; 14.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 5.1% for Asian population

- Breakdown by household income: 20% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 16.5% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 13.7% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 13.1% rate for $50,000+ earners

About one in four New Yorkers struggling with depression receive both counseling and medication, while much smaller percentages receive counseling or medication only. A full 62% receive neither.

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- Population diagnosed with depression: 15.8% (20.6% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 12.1% rate for men; 19.2% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 19.2% rate for White population; 13% rate for Black population; 11.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 5.2% for Asian population; 22.1% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 19% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 16.5% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 17.8% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 13.1% rate for $50,000+ earners

Less than 57% of Marylanders with depression and other mental illnesses receive treatment of any kindwhether through private providers and public systems. More than 43% of those who need treatment in the state receive no care at all. In a testament to mental health in America as a whole, even Marylands numbers are good enough for a spot among the top 15 states in the country in terms of access to care.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 16.2% (18.6% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 11.4% rate for men; 20.9% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 16.4% rate for White population; 10.6% rate for Black population; 14% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 22.6% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 17.7% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 17.7% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 13.1% rate for $50,000+ earners

The first sparsely populated, non-coastal state on the list is Iowa, home to roughly 3.1 million people. Less than half of all Iowans suffering from any mental illness, including major depression, receive treatment48.5%, to be exact.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 16.2% (18.6% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 10.6% rate for men; 21.7% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 17.3% rate for White population; 12.2% rate for Black population; 10.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 18.9% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 23.2% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 18.3% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 17.2% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 12.7% rate for $50,000+ earners

Nebraska isdealing with a troubling rise in youth suicide across several counties. Experts trace the increasewhich is occurring even as adult rates are droppingto a rise in adolescent depression spurred by the coronavirus crisis. This is true despite a strong record of youth suicide prevention efforts in the state spearheaded by the Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 17.4% (12.6% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 12.1% rate for men; 23.3% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 18.5% rate for White population; 15.4% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 19.4% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 19.7% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 16.6% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 16.7% rate for $50,000+ earners

Alaskas remote northern location makes people there particularly vulnerable to a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which affects just 1% of the population in the warmest, sunniest climates but 10% of those in the coldest, darkest environments. In 2020, the pandemic is hitting Alaska just as the states infamously cold, dark winter months set in. On Dec. 21, Fairbanks will get just 3 hours and 42 minutes of sunlight all dayin Alaskas farthest northern reaches, itll be dark for 67 days straight.

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- Population diagnosed with depression: 17.4% (12.6% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.9% rate for men; 20.6% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 18% rate for White population; 17.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 12.2% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 22.2% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 19.6% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 15.7% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 11.6% rate for $50,000+ earners

The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line is the states front-line service for people in crisis due to depression and anxiety. The hotline has experienced a large increase in call volume since the onset of the pandemic, with about one in every five calling about suicidal thoughts or actions.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 17.7% (11.1% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.1% rate for men; 22% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 19.9% rate for White population; 11.7% rate for Black population; 15.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 23.7% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 19.9% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 18.5% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 12.9% rate for $50,000+ earners

Along with Maine, Florida has the highest percentage of seniors of any state in Americamore than one in five Floridians are 65 or older. Nationwide, seniors with depression are far more likely to suffer in silence than the overall populationabout two of three older depression sufferers wont seek help. Stigma is one of the primary reasons so many seniors keep their depression to themselves, as is the widespread belief that theyll be able to break free on their own.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 18.5% (7.0% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.6% rate for men; 23% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 19.5% rate for White population; 14.6% rate for Black population; 20.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 7.6% for Asian population

- Breakdown by household income: 27.9% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 19% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 19% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 16.1% rate for $50,000+ earners

The Massachusetts Health Connector insurance marketplace and MassHealth, the states Medicaid program, cover most mental health services in the state, including therapy and medication. The Department of Mental Health fills in any gaps by providing supplemental service for the most serious cases beyond whats normally covered.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 18.8% (5.5% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.1% rate for men; 24% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 22.2% rate for White population; 12.8% rate for Black population; 9.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 28.2% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 22.9% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 23.1% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 16.5% rate for $50,000+ earners

In 2018, the passage of Senate Bill 230 required insurance companies operating in the state to cover mental health care more consistently after patients and advocates had long complained of inadequate coverage. Aetna and Highmark, Delawares two largest insurers, were recently hit with nearly $600,000 in fines for thousands of violations of the new law.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 19.2% (3.5% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.4% rate for men; 25.1% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 18.6% rate for White population; 22.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 29% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 24.2% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 17.4% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 13.3% rate for $50,000+ earners

Wyoming joins Nevada in the cluster of Mountain West states that dominate the bottom of the Mental Health America list, which measures state-by-state access to care. Wyoming ranks #48 out of 51, including Washington D.C.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 19.6% (1.5% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 13.5% rate for men; 25.4% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 19.9% rate for White population; 18.6% rate for Black population; 21.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 28.1% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 22.1% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 19.8% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 14.8% rate for $50,000+ earners

According to theUniversity of Southern California Schaeffer, Pennsylvanias mental health system is considered to be among the nations top regarding prevalence of mental illness. The problem, however, is that the state is facing a shortage of providers, particularly in Pennsylvanias rural communities.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 19.6% (1.5% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 14.2% rate for men; 24.7% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 21% rate for White population; 11.1% rate for Black population; 17.1% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

- Breakdown by household income: 25.9% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 17.8% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 19.2% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 15.9% rate for $50,000+ earners

Adolescents in Rhode Island are much more likely than adults to experience a major depressive episode. About 13.4% of people ages 1217 have such an episode in a given year, compared to 8.1% of Rhode Islanders ages 18 and older.

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- Population diagnosed with depression: 19.9% (0.0% below national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 14.3% rate for men; 25.3% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 19.9% rate for White population; 15.4% rate for Black population; 21.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 9.2% for Asian population; 24.4% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 27.9% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 22.8% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 21.2% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 15% rate for $50,000+ earners

Just as it is geographically, Kansas is in the exact center of the country in terms of depression diagnosis, representing the precise national median. A University of Kansas Ph.D. developed a revolutionary new philosophy on treating depression abbreviated with the acronym TLC: therapeutic lifestyle changes.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 20% (0.5% above national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 14.6% rate for men; 25.2% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 20.1% rate for White population

- Breakdown by household income: 31.9% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 22.9% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 17.7% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 16.5% rate for $50,000+ earners

New Hampshire is one of only two states in the entire Northeast that falls outside the top 10 on Mental Health Americas ranking of states with the most comprehensive access to mental health care. New Hampshire is #27, while neighboring Vermont is #12.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 20% (0.5% above national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 14.2% rate for men; 25.3% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 22.2% rate for White population; 15% rate for Black population; 14.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 24.8% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 28.9% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 21.3% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 20% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 15.3% rate for $50,000+ earners

South Carolina has experienced an increase both in suicide rates and in the percentage of young children experiencing anxiety and depression. In response, the state launched its Interactive Screening Program, an online mental health diagnostic tool that connects users with a professional counselor instead of just delivering computerized feedback and guidance.

- Population diagnosed with depression: 20.2% (1.5% above national median)

- Breakdown by sex: 14.4% rate for men; 26% rate for women

- Breakdown by race: 21.3% rate for White population; 14.3% rate for Black population; 12.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino population; 11.6% for Asian population; 30.9% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

- Breakdown by household income: 27% rate for $15,000-$24,999 earners; 23.2% rate for $25,000-$34,999 earners; 23% rate for $35,000-$49,999 earners; 17.5% rate for $50,000+ earners

Depressionalong with substance abuse and low academic achievementis more prevalent among adolescents in Minnesotas large Latino, Hmong, and Somali populations than in the general population. Researchers at the University of Minnesota who studied the issue surmise that the anti-immigrant sentiment that has emerged since 2016 has increased stress in their communities on top ofpandemic pressure.

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States with the highest rates of depression | Health and Fitness - Quad City Times