According to national survey data by Mental Health America, at least 44 million American adults were found to have a mental health condition in 2018. While mental health rankings may be bleak overall and survey findings reveal the continuation of many problems, such as half of adults with mental health issues not receiving care; a look at the states with the lowest incidence of mental health issues may hold vital clues for country-wide improvement. So, what are these lowest ranking states doing right?
States With The Lowest Mental Health Rating
Massachusetts topped the Mental Health America 2018 State of Mental Health in Americaranking of the states results. With at least one mental health provider per every 200 residents, the state had the best numbers on mental health workforce availability. Other key findings included having the lowest percentage of mental illness patients without insurance, highest rates of mental healthcare access, and lowest prevalence of mental illness.
South Dakota was ranked second in the survey, first for mental health concerning youth, and first for lowest incidence of mental health and substance abuse amongst both youth and adults. Access averaged out to one mental health care provider per 600 residents.
Minnesota rounded out the top three. The state showed one mental health care provider per 510 residents. On screeners, the state showed 24.51 percent for severe depression, which was the lowest score seen in any state. Severe depression in youth received some type of outpatient treatment in 40 percent of the cases, which is a statistic three times higher than its bottom three counterpart state - Nevada.
What Are They Doing Right?
According to the survey, the good news is that healthcare reform efforts have and can help. Because of the Affordable Care Act, uninsured adult rates had decreased by five percent amongst those with mental illness. Statewide Medicaid expansions have also served to lower the uninsured rate amongst both youth and adults; the survey found that eight of the top 10 states had expanded Medicaid in 2017. As the single largest payer of mental health issues, Medicaid increases access, diagnosis, and treatment options before mental health issues reach critical stages for individuals.
Here are some other ways that states have managed to improve their mental health statistics:
• Areas with mental health provider shortages can invest in recovery and preventive services, such as supportive employment services and peer-operated supportive services, so that those with mental health conditions could gain better opportunities and access to such services.
• Making online screenings and resources as accessible as possible. Screeners can help additional information come to light, and such screening tools and accurate mental health information keeps individuals better informed and capable of self-monitoring.
• Mental health professionals have better incentives to accept private and public insurances when providers negotiate for higher reimbursement rates for the services provided.
• Focus on early identification and intervention of youth mental health issues so that they don’t enter adulthood already in a mental health crisis.
• Focus on awareness and outreach for special populations, such as students, caregivers, veterans, new parents, and LGBT; those who are particularly prone to mental health issues.
Overall, the quality and access to quality care remains lagging for those with mental illnesses. Yet, a look at what certain states are doing right and their successes, however small they may be, shows the nation that steps can be made in the right direction when it comes to mental health in America.
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Herrick Lipton is the CEO of New Horizon Counseling Center in New York and is also an advocate for mental health. For more information about Herrick or to get in touch with New Horizon Counseling Center for resources, please visit nhcc.us or call 718-845-2620.
Originally published on https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/states-lowest-ranking-mental-illness-what-doing-right-herrick-lipton/
