New Study Reveals the States Most Caring of Youth’s Mental Health

New study reveals the states most caring of youth’s mental health

• Maine has the strongest support for youth mental health, with a score of 68.66
• Illinois, Wisconsin, Utah, and New York round out the top five states for youth mental health care
• Nevada faces significant challenges in providing mental health care for its young people and ranks last in the nation

America’s youth are in the midst of a growing mental health crisis. Nearly one in five young people is struggling with emotional or behavioral issues, making the need for accessible care more urgent than ever. A new study has identified the states best equipped to support young people’s mental health, with Maine leading the pack.

Mental health experts at Manhattan Mental Health Counseling conducted the study by analyzing data from Mental Health America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify states with the best and worst conditions for youth mental health.

1. Maine (Score: 68.66)

Maine stands out as a leader in youth mental health care, offering strong support systems and accessible resources for young people in need. Of all states, Maine reported the highest percentage of people seeking help for their mental health problems, at 65.4%. Additionally, a strong majority (78.4%) of those who received mental health counseling reported that it helped them.

Additionally, Maine has the second-lowest percentage (just 2.7%) of uninsured youth when it comes to mental health care, making treatment more accessible for everyone.

The Pine Tree State also boasts easy access to parks, giving its youth more places to escape their stressful routines.

2. Illinois (Score: 64.47)

Illinois comes in second for providing the best mental health support to its young residents. The Prairie State ranks third in the nation for providing mental health services to depressed youth, with 60.7% receiving treatment.

70.3% of the state’s youth reported never being bullied, while 77.5% said they have no trouble making or keeping friends, contributing to a healthy social environment in the state.

Illinois also demonstrates a commitment to well-being by prioritizing park accessibility, ranking just behind Maine in seventh place.

3. Wisconsin (Score: 63.51)

Wisconsin ranks third for providing the best mental healthcare for its youth. The Badger State ranks seventh nationally in providing effective mental health counseling for young people, with a strong 77% of youth reporting positive outcomes from treatment.

Wisconsin also ranks 12th in the nation for the number of mental healthcare facilities per 100,000 residents. Additionally, the state shows positive trends in youth mental health, with a lower rate of reported depressive episodes (14th lowest) and a higher rate of youth with strong social connections (14th highest).

4. Utah (Score: 61.90)

Utah comes in fourth on the list, boasting the fourth-lowest percentage of reported depressive episodes at 18.33%.

The Beehive State also boasts a robust network of mental health facilities, ranking sixth in the nation for the number of mental healthcare facilities, at five per 100,000 residents.

The state nearly cracks the top ten in providing mental health services to depressed youth, with over half (52.1%) receiving treatment. It also ranks 18th in terms of mental health insurance coverage.

5. New York (Score: 61.78)

New York rounds out the top five, demonstrating a strong commitment to youth mental health. The Empire State ranks eighth nationwide in providing effective counseling services, with an impressive 77.2% of young people reporting positive outcomes.

Additionally, the state has a favorable environment for young people, ranking seventh for the lowest rates of reported bullying (69.5%) and sixth for strong social connections, with 78% of youth saying they have no trouble making friends.

6. Vermont (Score: 60.84)

Vermont comes in sixth. The Green Mountain State has the second-highest number of mental health treatment facilities per 100,000 residents in the nation, showing a strong commitment to meeting the needs of young people.

In Vermont, only 6% of youth reported being not covered from insurance for mental or emotional care, placing the state among the national leaders.

Vermont also provides decent counseling services, with 75.6% of youth reporting positive outcomes.

7. California (Score: 60.31)

California comes in seventh, boasting an exceptional social environment for young people. With an impressive 74.5% of youth reporting no history of bullying, and 78.6% saying it’s easy to make and keep friends, it’s clear the state fosters a safe and inclusive atmosphere.

The Golden State also ranks third in park accessibility, it offers great opportunities for outdoor recreation and mental health benefits. While the state is making progress in youth employment and education, as indicated by its 18th ranking for disconnected youth, there’s still room for improvement in this area.

8. Connecticut (Score: 59.88)

Connecticut comes in eighth, leading the nation in ensuring mental health coverage for its youth, with only 2.3% lacking it. Additionally, Vermont ranks among the top ten states for mental health treatment facility availability, offering four facilities per 100,000 residents.

Additionally, Connecticut has low bullying rates, with 68.5% of youth reporting no bullying experiences.

9. New Jersey (Score: 59.62)

New Jersey ranks ninth among states providing the best mental healthcare for young people. With a strong fifth-place ranking for low bullying rates at 69.7%, it demonstrates a commitment to youth safety and well-being.

The state also ranks among the top 10 in providing essential green spaces where young people can connect with nature and boost their mental well-being.

The Garden State’s relatively low rate of disconnected youth, at just 10%, places it 17th in the nation, indicating a focus on college and career paths for young people.

10. Georgia (Score: 59.46)

Georgia rounds out the top 10 list. Ranking second in both the lowest rate of depressive episodes among young people and the highest rate of strong social connections, the state provides an exceptional foundation for youth well-being.

With just 17.39% of youth reporting depressive symptoms, Georgia is a leader in preventing mental health crises. Plus, the state boasts strong social connections among young people, with a remarkable 79.1% saying it’s easy to make and keep friends.

Full list of states ranked for the best mental health care for young people:

*Data represents the ranking of each state in each category

Natalie Buchwald, a lead psychologist at Manhattan Mental Health Counseling commented on the findings: “Adolescence is a crucial stage for mental health development. Strong mental health during these years is essential for future well-being.

States with the poorest youth mental health outcomes, like Nevada or South Carolina, must prioritize significant improvements. Expanding access to care, including more services, better insurance coverage, and telehealth options, is vital. Early intervention and prevention programs, like school-based mental health resources and addressing social factors, are also crucial.

Meanwhile, states with strong performances should continue building on their successes to further enhance youth mental health, as they still have great room for improvement. ”

Methodology

This study identified nine different factors that point towards the best states for mental health care for young people. All factors were scored from 0 to 100 in order to produce a ranking of each state. Each factor was assigned a different numerical weight by assessing its impact on what makes a state have better mental health care access or coverage.

The factors and their respective weight are as follows:

Youth with at least one depressive episode (15% weight)

Youth with MDE who did not receive mental health services (15% weight)

Youth with private insurance that did not cover mental or emotional problems 2024 (10% weight)

Youth with MDE who reported treatment or counseling helped them (15% weight)

Number of mental healthcare facilities per 100,000 residents (10% weight)

Disconnected youth (10% weight)

Access to parks (5% weight)

Never bullied (10% weight)

No difficulty making friends (10% weight)

Sources

Mental Health America

Child Health Data

National Equality Atlas

National Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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