• The study examined multiple health factors, including frequent mental distress, life expectancy, and physical inactivity, to assign each state a mental health ranking score. 

• Georgia secures a score of 40.9, claiming 37th place for mental well-being.

• Hawaii leads the rankings with a score of 91.4, with West Virginia falling behind at 5.6.

A new analysis has examined how each state’s mental health data compares across the country, with Georgia ranking significantly below the national average. 

The study, conducted by Leafwell, examined various health indicators for each state, including levels of frequent mental distress, physical inactivity, number of poor mental health days, life expectancy, access to exercise and median household income. An overall health score was calculated for each state out of 100, leading to a ranking based on these critical health metrics.  

Georgia has calculated a total score of 40.9, placing it 37th within the overall national rankings. Despite a $66,500 median annual income 11.9% higher than the US average, Georgia demonstrates a significant need for improvement with an estimated life expectancy almost a year shorter than the national norm, reaching an age of 77. This state struggles with more poor mental health days than the average American and suffers from frequent mental distress 7.1% longer. 25% of citizens are physically inactive, potentially because only 75% of the population has access to exercise opportunities. 

Commenting on the study, Mitchell L. Doucette, PhD., M.S., Director of Research at Leafwell, said, "As we delve into the intricacies of Georgia's health metrics, it becomes evident that factors such as access to exercise opportunities, median household income, and mental health resources play pivotal roles in shaping the well-being of communities.” 

“By highlighting the attributes of Georgia and other states in the bottom rankings, we aim to inspire conversations and initiatives that prioritize comprehensive approaches to improve the quality of life for residents nationwide.” 

The Five Worst States for Mental Health

West Virginia has the lowest overall well-being, earning a health score of just 5.6. With a population of 1.7 million, a concerning 19% of residents report experiencing frequent mental distress, which translates to more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month. This alarming percentage is the highest across the United States. Additionally, the state faces the challenge of the second-worst life expectancy at 74.3 years. This figure is notably four years below the national average, reflecting a critical health disparity within the state. 

The Five Best States for Mental Health

Securing the top spot is Hawaii, boasting a health score of 91.4. Despite its relatively small population of 1.4 million, Hawaii is often synonymous with a stress-free environment. It stands out with the highest average life expectancy among all states, reaching an impressive 82.3 years. The state also excels in mental well-being, experiencing an average of only 3.6 days of poor mental health per month. Remarkably, only 11% of the population reports more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month, reflecting low levels of frequent mental distress.