Almost 1 in 4 American adults with frequent mental distress reported not seeing a doctor because of the cost, Mental Health America found in a new survey based on 2022 federal data.
Why it matters: Delayed or forgone treatment for mental disorders is often linked to insurance status and medical debt, and is fueling a treatment gap that cuts across demographic groups.
What they found: In eight states including Arkansas, a minimum of 30% of adults reporting at least two weeks of mental distress per month were unable to afford medical help.
Of those states, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas also rank in the bottom five states for availability of mental health workers.
Between the lines: Private insurers aren't required to cover mental health services, and the survey found 10% of adults and 8.5% of youths lack coverage.
Zoom out: Mental Health America ranked Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine best overall for mental health and treatment, while Nevada, Arizona and Montana were the worst among the 50 states and D.C.
The group used 15 metrics, including suicidal ideation and substance-use disorder, or a major depressive episode in the past year.