By Stacy M. Brown/NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Officials want to track changes in the prevalence of mental health issues and access to mental health care, understand how changes in national data reflect the impact of legislation and policies, and increase dialogue with and improve outcomes for individuals and families with mental health needs.
The District of Columbia counts among the top 10 states with the best mental health, or the combination of the lowest prevalence of mental illness and greater access to care, according to Mental Health America’s annual State of Mental Health in America report.
Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, and Maryland round out the top 10.
The states at the lower end of the ranking have higher prevalence rates and less access to care. Those states include: Kansas, Indiana, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada.
