A recent study revealed that Florida ranks among the top ten states that have shown the best improvements in the mental health of their residents since COVID-19. The top state was Illinois, which saw the biggest decrease in reports of anxiety and depression.
The virtual medical assistants at DocVA collected data on anxiety and depression from the CDC in order to analyze the changes in mental health issues in each state since 2020. After calculating the percentage differences, they ranked the states from the highest to the lowest improvement rate.
Florida, which gained national headlines for its less restrictive approach to COVID-19 management, has seen a 44.56% decrease in mental health issues. The improvement was good enough to rank Florida #6 out of all states for improvement. During the pandemic, 38.78% of Floridians suffered from anxiety or depression, whereas this rate is 21.5% in 2024.
People in Illinois have reported 50.34% fewer cases of anxiety and depression, with 37.12% of people suffering from symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2020, and just 18.43% in 2024.
In second place is New Jersey, where residents have reported 48.43% fewer mental health issues since the pandemic. In 2020, 36.07% of people in New Jersey felt they were experiencing anxiety or depression, and only 18.6% in 2024.
The tropical paradise of Hawaii is in third place, where residents have experienced a 47.47% decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression. 30.71% of Hawaiians in 2020 felt they were suffering from mental health issues, whereas 16.13% feel this way in 2024.
Fourth place belongs to New York, with a mental health improvement of 46.09%. In 2024, only 19.23% of New Yorkers report symptoms of anxiety or depression, compared to 35.68% during the pandemic.
Mental health issues in California have improved by 45.86%, putting the state in fifth place. 37.8% of Californians in 2020 suffered from symptoms of anxiety or depression, compared to only 20.47% in 2024.
Virginia rounded out the top 10, with a 42.17% decrease in mental health issues since 2020. In 2020, 33.49% of Virginians experienced mental health issues, compared to only 19.37% now.
Issues in America surged as individuals faced unprecedented levels of stress, isolation, and uncertainty. Post-pandemic, we see the lingering effects of being shut off from each other, and more than ever we realize the urgent need for human connection, support systems, and the freedom to experience normal life.
“These things are vital for us to survive, as the findings clearly show mental health issues improving since restrictions lifted. Human beings need each other, and as more people recognize the importance of mental well-being, the challenge remains to bridge the gap between awareness and action, ensuring everyone has the support they need to thrive.”
Methodology
This study examined data from the Anxiety and Depression Household Pulse Survey, covering the years 2020 to 2024, to determine which state was most impacted by mental health issues. The analysis centered on estimated percentages of adults reporting symptoms related to generalized anxiety disorder or depressive disorder during the last seven days. Additionally, the study identified the state that showed the most significant improvement in mental health over this period by comparing survey results from April, May, and June in 2020 and 2024.
Source:
https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Indicators-of-Anxiety-or-Depression-Based-on-Repor/8pt5-q6wp/about_data
