JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — Mississippi continues to grapple with significant challenges in mental health, according to recent findings from Mental Health America (MHA).
Despite having the sixth lowest prevalence of mental illness, MHA’s data highlights troubling statistics for Mississippi. The state ranks seventh worst nationally for mental health among adults and dead last (50th) for access to mental health care across the United States and the District of Columbia. These factors contributed to Mississippi’s overall ranking of 34th in MHA’s national report.
Over the past year, Mississippi has seen a decline in its overall mental health ranking, dropping nine spots compared to the previous year’s assessment. Since 2020, the state has fluctuated in its national ranking between 25th and 36th. MHA’s analysis considered various factors including the affordability of mental health services, insurance coverage, prevalence of bad mental health days, and history of substance abuse.
A concerning statistic revealed that over 30% of Mississippi adults experiencing frequent mental distress did not seek medical help due to financial barriers. The state also faces economic challenges, with residents having the lowest per capita income nationally and significant rates of uninsured adults and children.
Despite these challenges, Mississippi performs relatively better in children’s mental health, ranking 18th for mental health outcomes and resources for youth, according to MHA.
In response to these issues, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health recently launched the Mental Health Mississippi mobile app. The app aims to provide immediate access to mental health resources and support through crisis intervention services, educational materials, an interactive map, and a comprehensive resource directory.
The state continues to address these challenges with initiatives aimed at improving mental health care accessibility and outcomes for its residents.
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