5 Most Depressed States in the US

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 most depressed states in the US. If you want to learn about more, head straight to the 15 Most Depressed States in the US.

5. Utah 

Depression Rate per 100,000 People: 26,488 

Utah is the fifth most depressed state in the US with a depression rate of 26,488 per 100,000 people. Women in Utah had nearly double the rate of diagnosed depression at 34.2% compared to men at 18.1% in 2022. Around 9.6% of people were uninsured in Utah in 2021 and around 2,708,763 people in the state did not have access to mental health professionals.

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4. Arkansas 

Depression Rate per 100,000 People: 26,628 

Arkansas stands fourth among the top 10 depressed states in the US  with a depression rate of 26,628 per 100,000 people. In 2021, 25% of adults in Arkansas reported being unable to get needed counseling or therapy. According to a study published in 2021, among those with depression in the United States from 2008-2016, 61% were female, and 40% were aged 45-64 years.

3. West Virginia 

Depression Rate per 100,000 People: 26,874 

West Virginia is one of the saddest states in the US with a depression rate of 26,874 per 100,000 people. The state has one of the highest numbers of mental illnesses in the US. The most recent data from the West Virginia MATCH Survey (2021-2022) revealed that Boone County had the highest rate of depression, anxiety, or PTSD at 32%, followed by Logan County at 27.4%.

2. Oklahoma 

Depression Rate per 100,000 People: 26,972 

Oklahoma is one of the top 10 depressed states in the US with a depression rate of 26,972 per 100,000 people. In 2014-2015, the annual average percentage of adults aged 18 or older in Oklahoma with past year serious thoughts of suicide was around 4%. From 2011-2015, an annual average of about 13,000 adolescents aged 12-17 in Oklahoma (41.9% of those with major depressive episodes) received treatment for their depression.

1. Tennessee 

Depression Rate per 100,000 People: 29,212 

Tennessee tops the list for being one of the most depressed states in the US with a depression rate of 29,212 per 100,000 people. Among high school girls, white Tennessee high schoolers reported the highest rates of poor mental health. In 2021, nearly half of Tennessee’s 11th-grade students reported feeling sad or hopeless for two or more consecutive weeks. The prevalence of major depressive episodes among youth ages 12-17 was slightly higher in East Tennessee compared to Middle and West Tennessee over 2016-2018.

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