link (http://www.click2houston.com/health/14727062/detail.html)

hich State Is Most Depressed? Utah Called Most-Depressed State

Posted: 11:18 am CST November 29, 2007

People in South Dakota are the least likely in the nation to be depressed, according to a new study by a group called Mental Health America.

The report found that Utah is the most depressed state.

The rest of the 10 least depressed states were Hawaii, New Jersey, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Louisiana, Illinois, North Dakota and Texas.

The other most depressed states were Wyoming, Ohio, Missouri, Idaho, Oklahoma, Nevada, Rhode Island, Kentucky and West Virginia at No. 50 (the District of Columbia was counted as a separate state).

The results were based on rates of depression and suicide.

"While a number of factors including biology and environment impact an individual's mental health, this study shows that states can significantly improve their populations' mental health status by adopting policies that expand access to mental health treatments," said Dr. David Shern, the group's president.

A news release said the group found that factors such as the number of mental-health workers and laws regarding health insurance can help determine suicide rates in a given state.

Rates of depression varied from around 7 percent to more than 10 percent

Shern said that no state should be satisfied with its current status.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting.

Wow, I thought the most depressed state would be Ohio - due to our sports teams!! :eek: :lol: I'm not surprised we made the top ten.

I thought it would be mine, Washington, since we have such droopy music to compliment our dreary weather--and Nervous Nanny city of Seattle.

Hawaii being #2 on the least depressed states doesnt shock me. It'd be hard to be depressed out there. :lol:

North Dakota though? Why?

Hawaii being #2 on the least depressed states doesnt shock me. It'd be hard to be depressed out there. :lol:

North Dakota though? Why?
I'm not surprised about Hawaii, either. :lol: New Jersey is also on the list of least depressed states, which does surprise me. :lol: :joke:

Arizona should be one of the most depressed states with so many people moving here. The traffic, the pollution, the crime, the destruction of land. :(

Hawaii being #2 on the least depressed states doesnt shock me. It'd be hard to be depressed out there. :lol:

North Dakota though? Why?
Haha, I like that North Dakota (my home state) made the list of least-depressed states. Minnesota, too. There are definitely a lot of happy people in the Twin Cities.

Funny thing... I know far too many people who take antidepressants around here. Maybe I need to find some new friends who don't take antidepressants. :lol: It's a per capita thing, I'm guessing.

As for Wyoming and Idaho being on the most-depressed list... Heh heh heh. Barely anybody lives in these two states. I'm surprised Montana didn't make the most-depressed list. I'd go crazy if I lived in Great Falls. :faint:

I would've thought Wisconsin would have been on the most-depressed list, due to our state being one of the highest taxed states in the nation.
Thanks Governor Doyle, you moron.

The Midwest has got the most depressing, frustrating weather!! Not that it's always gloomy, but damn...what with all the ice and snow and driving on it, and then the tornados and floods...

But the sun shines occasionally (like right now here in the Twin Cities, we have a wind chill of -15 or something, but it's bright and sunny) and the people are friendly, so go us.

:)

Though I'm confused as to what makes Missouri so depressing. I find it no different than Iowa and Minnesota.

I would've thought Wisconsin would have been on the most-depressed list, due to our state being one of the highest taxed states in the nation.
Thanks Governor Doyle, you moron.
:rofl: :brent

New Jersey is also on the list of least depressed states, which does surprise me. :lol: :joke:

Haha, for real.

We spoke about depression / suicide in health class and our teacher told us that Alaska was the state with the highest suicide rate. If that's true, I'm suprised they're not high on the list. To me that totally makes sense, just in terms of the climate and environment.

That almost doesnt suprise me, besides Salt Lake City is there anything in Utah?

Utah has always struck me as a depressing state...so im not surprised :p

But the sun shines occasionally (like right now here in the Twin Cities, we have a wind chill of -15 or something, but it's bright and sunny) and the people are friendly, so go us.

DawsonGirl, I thought you lived in Des Moines!

Anyway, I saw my state (Ohio) on the list. I have driven in the southeastern part of the state, and some of these little towns have nothing going for them. Ditto with many towns along the Ohio River from East Liverpool south. Heck, a drive along US 23 from Chillicothe south can be depressing if it's cloudy enough!

I'm surprised Arkansas and Mississippi are not on the list. I've visited some really depressed looking towns along the Mississippi River in those states.

Wow, I thought the most depressed state would be Ohio - due to our sports teams!! :eek: :lol: I'm not surprised we made the top ten.

Not to mention our unemployment rate.:(

Haha, for real.

We spoke about depression / suicide in health class and our teacher told us that Alaska was the state with the highest suicide rate. If that's true, I'm suprised they're not high on the list. To me that totally makes sense, just in terms of the climate and environment.
You're right Alaska is the most depressing state,becuse winter last for 5 months out of the year and it gets dark about 4pm. THere's lots of drugs,and alachol addictions. They always skip my state, even the weather reports they forget. But,thats the way I like it away from people. although I live in a small city it is still quie peacefull think of Northern Exposer for quite,alaskan,small towns.

DawsonGirl, I thought you lived in Des Moines!

Anyway, I saw my state (Ohio) on the list. I have driven in the southeastern part of the state, and some of these little towns have nothing going for them. Ditto with many towns along the Ohio River from East Liverpool south. Heck, a drive along US 23 from Chillicothe south can be depressing if it's cloudy enough!

I'm surprised Arkansas and Mississippi are not on the list. I've visited some really depressed looking towns along the Mississippi River in those states.
I was on vacation. :)

I actually would like to visit Alaska sometime just to see the sun shining at Midnight. That would be something I'd never forget. :lol:

Living there would be horrible because I love hot weather and they don't get a ton of that.

DawsonGirl, I thought you lived in Des Moines!

Anyway, I saw my state (Ohio) on the list. I have driven in the southeastern part of the state, and some of these little towns have nothing going for them. Ditto with many towns along the Ohio River from East Liverpool south. Heck, a drive along US 23 from Chillicothe south can be depressing if it's cloudy enough!

I'm surprised Arkansas and Mississippi are not on the list. I've visited some really depressed looking towns along the Mississippi River in those states.
She does. Her boyfriend lives in the Twin Cities suburbs part-time.