A new study from medical marijuana advocacy firm Leafwell has revealed the states with the best mental health care, with Wisconsin taking the No. 2 spot.
20.78% of U.S. citizens live with a mental illness, which is equivalent to over 50 million people. Nationally, 45.3% receive treatment, 71.8% report that their needs are met, and 89.2% are insured.
Data from Mental Health America was analyzed to determine which states provide the best care for people living with mental illness. They used the following three factors to determine a score for each state: adults with AMI (any mental illness) who receive treatment; adults with AMI who report that their needs are met; and adults with AMI who have medical insurance.
At the top of the list is Montana, with an overall score of 75.53/100. Out of all adults in the state with a mental illness, 59.4% receive treatment, the highest percentage in the nation. 75% report that their needs are met and 92.1% have medical insurance. With 195,000 people suffering with mental illness in the state overall, Montana provides the best care in the U.S.
In second place is Wisconsin, which scored 75.5/100. There are 92,000 people living with mental illness in the state. Of these, 94.2% are medically insured, while 79.1% have their needs met and 53.2% receive treatment.
Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington round out the top five. The state with the worst mental health care is Alabama, with a score of just 61.43/100.
