Depression is a serious condition that affects 16 percent of the US population. Genetics play a large role, but so could where you live.
A survey produced by Mental Health America named the most depressed states. Here are the top 10:
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Rhode Island
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Idaho
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Wyoming
Want to know which states are the least depressed? Then read more
- South Dakota
- Hawaii
- New Jersey
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Louisiana
- Illinois
- North Dakota
- Texas
Check out the article called Ranking America's Mental Health: An Analysis of Depression Across the States to see the full list.
This study, funded by Wyeth pharmaceuticals, was not conducted to point fingers or to say that just because you live in one of the top 10 depressed states that you are automatically predisposed to depression, rather it's meant to bring attention to the high need for people to have access to mental health services and preventative treatments.
Dear's Advice: If you are suffering from depression, talk to someone so you aren't dealing with these sad feelings on your own. Tell a friend, relative, or your doctor, so they can help you get the treatment you need.
Nine West
Moschino
Fendi
Hmmm I thought Alaska would be most depressed.
1Utah haha awwwww...
2I thought Washington would be the most depressed. I heard somewhere that they had the highest suicide rate. Not sure how credible that is, though, because I don't remember where I got it from.
And how is Arizona not in the least depressed top 10? It's December and I don't even need a jacket, couldn't be happier!
3Ohio is one of the most depressed states...I can see that. Considering I've been here my whole life. Some of these states surprised me though...
4Are the least depressed packing on the meds?
5hm Utah why? . i was surprised not to see New York on there. hehe
6Hmmm, my state is in the least list but I can't believe South Dakota is on top! LOL
7Im really curious as to how they chose these states for this. I live in illinois and although i'm not depressed, the winter weather here can get quite depressing, but that snow makes up for it hehe
8i would be depressed too if i lived in west virigina. (no offense to anyone from there.)
9How is Jersey on the least depressing list????With how bad it smells here, that should trigger some depression on people.
Being from Upstate New York, I couldn't believe it wasn't on the list for most depressed. I guess those poor people just don't know any better.
10i was born and lived most of my life in #3 and now live in #9, so i'm totally not surprised.
11seriously, i live in the 3rd most depressed state? kentuckians seem very happy and friendly to me, but i guess i'm biased.
12Tami715, maybe you're thinking of Seattle being the city with the highest suicide rate, because I've heard that before. Not sure if it's still true, or ever was. But they do get a lot of rain there.
13Aberdeen, Washington has the highest suicide rate in Washington not Seattle.
I am sure there is lots of post partum depression in Utah plus it is boring, beautiful but boring.
14Utah is not depressed bc it's boring, in fact it's not boring here at all. There is stuff to do all year round. I believe Utah is most depressed bc Mormons make up the majority of our population. If you don't know, Mormons must reach near perfection in order to go to their top kingdom of heaven, talk about pressure! Also being a non-Mormon here it is easy to find yourself excluded socially in school, or work situations, which is also depressing. Well that has been my experience anyway... I don't mean to offend anyone, it's just the truth.
15CT is number 38. Interesting study.
16Woo hoo! South Dakota! My homestate!
17Texas #10!!
18Yeah. Ohioans are definitely depressed, especially during the winter.
19I'm from ohio, and I'm not at all depressed. but I guess I can see how the weather would put someone in a sour mood.
20Hm. I have tons of family in W. Va and they've always seemed rather content...
21I don't take offense to anything anyone says, and you cannot argue facts, but why does everyone think west virginia is such a terrible place? i was born and raised here, and there is no where i would rather be. seriously. haha, everyone sees it so negatively and i'm just curious why?
22jersey doesn't smell! well, ok, the turnpike smells a little, but I don't live by the turnpike, I live by the shore and it doesn't smell... well, by the water sometimes it smells like fish, but only because people fish there.
Jersey's great because we have the shore and NYC and Philly are like all really close. Ya. Oh and not having to pump your own gas probably helps.
23Everytime i come into New Brunswick it smells like Fish. It irks me to the maxx.
But i do love that we're right in the between NYC and Philly. People from Jersey are too cocky to be depressed and i mean that in a positive way.
24Oh wow, I spent the first 21 years of my life in the #2 and #9 most depressed states, but now I live in the #10 least depressed state! Yay for warm weather and sunshine!
25This study is a load of it. Louisiana on the least depressed list? There is a huge mental health crisis here in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. When was this study done?
26Where is Washington?
27Where's California? Haha...I can agree with the New Jersey thing, though...when I was there I loved it! (Despite the smell of rotten eggs by the bay, that is...) LOL!
28LOL I grew up in Louisiana and Texas! yep, I've been depressed a lot.
29okay so I'm glad I moved from Missouri to New Jersey for that one!
30I live in the 2nd most depressed state (WV) :/ but I'm from the 5th least depressed (MD). Hm. I gotta say, I don't know about the general populace of WV and the stability of their emotions, but WV is pretty depressing in essence...
31We're quite giddy for Christmas in Ohio, actually! Im suprised about NY not being on the top depressed states... and Louisiana? What the...
32Oklahoma #6! Way to represent!
33wooo wooo SOUTH DAKOTA!
34seriously, why would new york be on the top ten? pretty much the entire state is quite rad and has everything anyone could ever want, cities, farms, seasons, and a good amount of sun!
35the thruway tolls to get in between it all however irk me.
I live in Texas- glad to see the state mentioned in a positive light. Of course, al the bad things about Texas do get me down, but you can't beat the weather here. Winters of 75 degrees and clear skies!
36poor utah
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