Every generation views their health and wellness differently.
For older Americans, mental health diagnoses are becoming more prevalent. Between 2019 and 2023, the 65+ age group collectively experienced a 57.4% increase, according to a study by FAIR Health. The number one diagnosis? Major depressive disorder.
Not only do depression and other mental health disorders lower the quality of life, they can also complicate chronic health conditions in older individuals. While it's helpful to know that seniors are getting diagnosed more frequently than in the past, there are a number of issues that may impact outcomes—including location.
Since September is National Suicide Prevention Month, Hers looked at all 50 states to determine where seniors are getting the best mental health care and where they may be more at risk, using four data points to rank the states.
1. West Virginia
2. Missouri
3. Oklahoma
4. Tennessee
5. Louisiana
6. Georgia
7. South Carolina
8. Arkansas
8. Indiana
10. Nevada
1. Minnesota
2. New York
3. New Jersey
4. Rhode Island
5. Iowa
5. South Dakota
7. Nebraska
8. Connecticut
9. North Dakota
10. Hawaii
Here's a look at the best and worst states in each of the four data categories: mental health provider ratio, suicide rate for 65+ population, percentage of seniors who report 14 or more poor mental health days each month, and total penetration rate of individuals 65 and older served by the state's mental health authority.
Limited access to mental health providers makes it harder for seniors to book appointments and actually connect with a mental health professional.
States With the Lowest Mental Health Provider Ratio
States With the Highest Mental Health Provider Ratio
There is a stark regional difference between suicide rates. The states with the highest suicide rates have some of the nation's lowest population densities, while those with the lowest suicide rates all have high population densities.
States With the Highest Suicide Rates Among Seniors
States With the Lowest Suicide Rates Among Seniors
This factor looks at how the percentage of seniors in each state that describe at least 14 days a month as "not good."
States With the Highest Amount of Seniors Experiencing Poor Mental Health Days
States With the Lowest Amount of Seniors Experiencing Poor Mental Health Days
When states identify individuals with a mental health need, the penetration rate indicates how much of that population receives care.
States With the Lowest Mental Health Authority Penetration Rates for Seniors
States With the Highest Mental Health Authority Penetration Rates for Seniors
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
Hers based its rankings on four data categories related to senior mental health and access to care.
Each category was weighted equally using data at the state level.
There are several resources you can access and proactive steps you can take to address your mental health needs as you get older.
This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.