Each generation perceives health and wellness in its unique way. For older Americans, there is a rising prevalence of mental health diagnoses. A study by FAIR Health showed that between 2019 and 2023, the 65+ age group experienced a 57.4% increase, with major depressive disorder being the most common diagnosis. Mental health issues not only affect the quality of life but can also complicate chronic health conditions in older individuals.
While it is positive that seniors are being diagnosed more frequently, there are various factors that can impact outcomes, including location. We conducted an analysis of all 50 states to determine where seniors are receiving the best mental health care and where they may be more at risk. We considered four data points to rank the states:
1. Mental health provider ratio: Access to mental health care can be challenging due to transportation and geographic barriers, so we assessed the concentration of mental health providers compared to each state’s population.
2. Size of the senior population reporting poor mental health: We looked at the percentage of seniors reporting 14 or more poor mental health days per month, indicating severe mental health issues.
3. State mental health authority’s penetration rate: This reflects the extent to which the state mental health authorities are providing funding and services at the county and local levels to reach individuals in need of mental health care.
Key Findings:
– West Virginia ranks lowest for senior mental health care and has the highest depression rate in the nation.
– Minnesota and New York are the top states for seniors’ mental health care.
– The South has the most at-risk states, including West Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Arkansas.
– Four of the top 10 states are in the Northeast, such as New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
For more details on the best and worst states for senior mental health care in 2024, including insights on mental health provider ratios and rates of seniors taking their own lives, refer to the full report by Hims/Hers.
States with the Highest Rate of Poor Mental Health Days Among Seniors
– West Virginia
– Arkansas
– Tennessee
States with the Lowest Rate of Poor Mental Health Days Among Seniors
– Hawaii
– Nebraska
– South Dakota
States with the Lowest Mental Health Authority Penetration Rates for Seniors
– Nevada
– Illinois
– Florida
States with the Highest Mental Health Authority Penetration Rates for Seniors
– New Jersey
– New Mexico
– Iowa
Senior Mental Health Care Ranking: 50 States from Most At-Risk to Least
1. West Virginia
2. Missouri
3. Oklahoma
4. Tennessee
5. Louisiana
6. Georgia
7. South Carolina
8. Arkansas and Indiana (tied)
10. Idaho, Kansas, and Nevada (tied)
13. Wisconsin
14. New Hampshire and North Carolina (tied)
16. Kentucky and Ohio (tied)
18. Oregon and Texas (tied)
20. Alaska and Delaware (tied)
22. Arizona
23. Alabama and Mississippi (tied)
25. New Mexico
26. Florida
27. Michigan
28. Maine, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington (tied)
32. Utah
33. Montana
34. Massachusetts
35. Pennsylvania
36. Colorado
37. Wyoming
38. Maryland
39. California
40. Illinois
41. Hawaii
42. North Dakota
43. Connecticut
44. Nebraska
45. Iowa and South Dakota (tied)
47. Rhode Island
48. New Jersey
49. New York
50. Minnesota
Data & Methodology
The rankings are based on four data categories related to senior mental health and access to care:
1. Mental health provider ratio
2. Size of the senior population reporting poor mental health
3. State mental health authority’s penetration rate
Each category was weighted equally at the state level.
Mental Health Resources for Seniors
– Limit social media use to reduce mental health risks.
– Address past trauma through therapy treatments.
– Seek help from mental health providers for the best therapy options.
