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These Are the 4 Most Depressed States in America

August 11, 2023 · Retirement Life
most depressed states
Image By TeodorLazarev From Shutterstock

Hawaii 

This is the state with the lowest depression rates, specifically 11.76%. With low rates of obesity, smoking, and inactivity, Hawaiians are typically in good health. Hawaiians also have the 18th-best access to mental health services.

New Jersey 

With a depression rate of 12.98%, New Jersey ranks second-lowest in the US. The suicide rate in New Jersey is also among the lowest in the nation. The biggest decrease of any state was seen in New Jersey, where the rate of depression decreased by 11.94% between 2014 and 2018. And what is interesting is that even if this state ranks 32nd in access to mental health care, it is still one of the happiest states in the country.

California

This is the third-happiest state in America, with a depression rate of 14.48%. More than that, California has one of the lowest suicide rates. And what is surprising is that even though this state ranks 26th in mental health access, it is still one of the happiest places out there.

In California, almost two-thirds of adults with mental illnesses and two-thirds of teenagers with serious depression go untreated. Maybe when this issue is solved, this state will be the happiest in the entire U.S.

If you want to relieve stress and negative thoughts, this book might be a good start: Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (The Path to Calm)

You should also read: 6 Retirement Mistakes You’ll Regret on Your Deathbed

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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6 comments on “These Are the 4 Most Depressed States in America”

  1. Marie c C Laguerre says:
    October 9, 2025 at 11:33 pm

    Hello, so what is the best state to retired? I’m curious. I ‘m planning to retire in Florida, any advice please

    Reply
  2. jerry1944 says:
    October 8, 2025 at 8:20 pm

    This sounds like a dem story that always FULL of LIES I would much rather be in one of the depressed states Well Tenn is pretty lib so i could leave that one out Who thinks of this Bull and expects ppl to believe them

    Reply
  3. Norma says:
    March 30, 2024 at 2:04 am

    The American Dream! Most cities and even small communities are blighted with crime and fentanyl addiction. The cost of living is sky rocketing. Americans are paying billions for a failed attempt at regime change in Russia, via a war in Ukraine, meanwhile the dollar is going South and poverty is exploding. Open borders allow hordes of undocumented illegals to stream in, including criminals and violent gang members. Their geriatric President is pushing the country towards nuclear war with Russia…and nobody it seems can get help with being totally depressed! If I were an American I´d be depressed too.

    Reply
  4. Kevin & Betsy Byrne says:
    March 28, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    My husband and I retired here in Bowling Green, Ky 17yrs ago and have never been happier! We live 5 min. from a state park and bought a canoe to watch sunsets on the lake. It’s gorgeous, people are sincerely very kind and help one another. There are as many shops here as there were in CA. and the healthcare is very good.
    We spent 47 yrs as native Californians. CA is a beautiful state but so over populated and more people than not are very calloused to other’s needs. The only reason that we go back is to see our adult son.
    The best thing a couple can do when they retire especially if they value their privacy, alot of adventures, sports and if you want great nightlife, Tennessee’s just not far. There is wonderful wildlife, as well as fantastic waterfalls. Ky is the best!

    Reply
  5. Michael says:
    March 28, 2024 at 2:25 am

    California the happiest state in America? I seriously doubt it. It has the most socialist controlling government, record crime in San Fran and LA, record homelessness, and has over a million illegals running free all over southern Cali. Over a million former Californians have left in the last 2 years looking to go somewhere, almost anywhere else. Most went to Texas looking for freedom. Your conclusions that places like Tennessee are less happy based on less available mental health care is flawed. Life is a little slower and there is much less stress in Tennessee and West Virginia for that matter. Yes wages are lower there than Cali or New Jersey, but so is the cost of living. There’s only 2 reasons I’d want to be in Cali., the weather and the beach, other than that, it sucks…..

    Reply
  6. shawn hazeleur says:
    March 27, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    Why would you take some of the happiest States and rank them as the most unhappy States? Your information is backwards. New York is most depressed State and on the verge of Collapse. California is Second most depressed State and on the verge of collapse. In fact, John Carpenters, Escape from New York and then Escape from L.A. is based on trues stories that hadn’t happened yet. They are happening now. People go to places like Tennessee because people are happy and the the left policies haven’t reached them and destroyed them.

    Reply
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