Health
New York Tops List for Mental Health Care
Health Points
- New York is ranked best for mental health, while Nevada comes in last according to a new national report.
- Despite improvements, millions of Americans struggle to access needed mental health care, with youth preventive visits still lagging.
- States that invest more in mental health services see better outcomes, highlighting the value of funding and policy support.
A recent national report spotlights how states compare on mental health support, care access, and outcomes, crowning New York as the top state and noting room for nationwide improvement. Nevada ranked the lowest, with issues like insufficient access to providers and care affecting many residents.
“We continue to face a persistent mental health crisis in the United States,” says Maddy Reinert, MPH, the report’s lead author. “There are still millions of adults and youth in the United States who need care for their mental health and can’t receive it.”
The study identified that about 1 in 4 adults and over half of youth with major depression are not getting the treatment they need. Preventive care visits for youth remain especially critical, as many mental health concerns first appear during adolescence.
The good news: the number of young people experiencing major depression and having serious thoughts of suicide has decreased since last year. This trend may be tied to new investments in school-based services and crisis support, which experts say are having a positive impact.
“When we see real changes in prevalence of mental health conditions or access to care in this report, it shows that the changes we are making are working, so we should not reverse or discontinue momentum on these policies,” says Reinert.
If you’re in a state with fewer resources, check your local health department or Medicaid office for provider listings, or consult your primary care doctor for mental health referrals. For immediate help, you can call or text 988 for crisis support, or explore national databases to find care near you.
Taking small steps to stay connected with mental health resources supports wellness at every age, no matter where you live. For more information on state rankings and support, visit the report’s full findings.
