And then there is this. Which suggest otherwise.
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Based on 2026 data, states with the highest rates of mental health issues—including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, and severe mental illness—are often located in the West and Appalachia, including West Virginia, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. These states consistently report high prevalences of adult mental illness.
Highest Rates of Mental Health Issues (By Data Metric)
Highest Overall Prevalence (2026): West Virginia, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Ohio.
Highest Adult Mental Illness Rate (2025/2026): Utah (29.2%), Idaho (28.0%), Oregon (27.5%), Wyoming (27.4%), and Montana/Washington (27.1%).
Highest Depression Rates: West Virginia (27.5%), Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vermont.
Lowest Overall Ranking (Highest Prevalence + Lowest Access): Nevada, Arizona, and Alabama often rank lowest, meaning they have high illness rates combined with the lowest access to care
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