Title: Study Reveals Best and Worst U.S. States for Mental Health in 2023
Subtitle: Nebraska Tops the List, West Virginia Ranks Last
Date: [Current Date]
A recent study conducted by Soliant Health, a healthcare staffing and research company based in Atlanta, Georgia, has unveiled the best and worst U.S. states to live in for mental health. The study took into account various factors affecting mental health across all 50 states, including “bad mental health days,” access to mental health providers, suicide rates, unemployment rates, violent crime rates, disconnected youth rates, exercise opportunities, and air pollution levels.
Nebraska emerged as the top state for mental health, with a high score of 85.2 out of 100 in weighted mental health points. The state’s success can be attributed to its low percentage (4.28%) of unemployed or out-of-school teenagers and young adults. Following closely behind are Connecticut and Massachusetts, scoring 85 and 81.8 points, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia ranked as the worst state for mental health, accompanied by Alabama and Arkansas. West Virginia reported the highest average number of mentally unhealthy days in the last 30 days. Alabama had the worst mental health provider-to-population ratio and ranked second-to-last in terms of mentally unhealthy days. Arkansas scored poorly across multiple categories, including exercise opportunities, disconnected youth rate, air pollution, and mentally unhealthy days.
The study also acknowledged notable findings in other states, including California, which ranked highest for exercise opportunities but lowest for air pollution.
New Jersey, securing the sixth position, received praise from Dr. Gary Small, psychiatry chair of Hackensack University Medical Center. He commended the state’s increased focus on mental health, with recent efforts in providing mental health care aid, including the establishment of a mental health hotline and improved services for students. Hackensack Meridian Health has implemented various mental health services, including the first behavioral health urgent care facility in the nation.
Soliant Health commissioned this study to shed light on mental health disparities and initiate important conversations. The company aims to promote a better understanding of mental health support across different states.
According to experts, states with educated and high-income populations tend to have better access to mental health care and healthier lifestyle choices. Regular physical activity, often accessible in such states, plays a significant role in reducing rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
As the coronavirus pandemic took a toll on mental health, New Jersey intensified its efforts in this area. Conversely, California ranked 17th due to significant challenges related to mental health problems and inadequate resources across the state.
New Jersey’s emphasis on comprehensive mental health care, particularly in schools, was highlighted by Donald J. Parker, president of Behavioral Health Transformation Services at Hackensack Meridian Health. The state has recently collaborated with the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide to train nurses in identifying signs of potential suicidal behaviors among teenagers.
The comprehensive approach to mental health, focusing on proactive care rather than reactive measures, is gaining traction in the field.
Soliant Health was approached for further comments on their report but has yet to respond.
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