Oklahoma is one of the most depressed states in America, according to a national report released Wednesday. The report cites the state’s high suicide rate and a high number of residents in “serious psychological distress.”

“Depression is a chronic illness that exacts a significant toll on our health and productivity,” authors of the Mental Health America report noted. “The illness is the leading cause of disability for individuals ages 15-44 in America.” Oklahoma ranks 46th of the 50 states and District of Columbia. A lower ranking in the report means more mental health problems.

In fact, the bottom ten “most depressed” states are: 42) Wyoming, 43) Ohio, 44) Missouri, 45) Idaho, 46) Oklahoma, 47) Nevada, 48) Rhode Island, 49) Kentucky, 50) West Virginia, and 51) Utah.

The “least depressed” states are 1) South Dakota, 2) Hawaii, 3) New Jersey, 4) Iowa, 5) Maryland, 6) Minnesota, 7) Louisiana, 8} Illinois, 9) North Dakota, and 10) Texas.

The rankings are determined by factors such as adolescents and adults who annually have “serious psychological episodes” and “major depressive episodes.”

“It is important to note that regardless of where each state ranks, there is much room for improvement,” said David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America. “This study shows that states can significantly improve their populations’ mental health status by adopting policies that expand access to treatments.”

Oklahoma had 509 suicides in 2005, the most so far this decade for a single year.

That number places Oklahoma 39th in the country for suicides, according to the report. Again, a lower ranking indicates a higher suicide rate. The national study found 13.3% of Oklahomans age 18 and older had “serious psychological distress” in the past year, and 8% of Oklahoma’s adult population experienced “major depressive episodes” in the past year.

On average, 4.3% of Oklahoma adults experience a “poor mental health day” every month, according to the report.

Still A Stigma

The Mental Health America report indicated 17.5% of Oklahomans couldn’t get treatment for mental health problems because of the cost. Dismukes also said mental illnesses have a stigma that keeps people from seeking help. “Mental disorders are the 3rd leading cause of chronic disease in the state - behind only pulmonary conditions and hypertension - and are more prevalent than heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and strokes,” Dismukes, spokesman for the OK Dept of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, said.
“They are the leading forms of disability and lost productivity , it decreased quality of life and premature death if left untreated,” he said.

“As mentioned in the report, depression is a risk factor for such chronic illnesses as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.”

written by Jim Killackey (Staff writer for The Oklahoman)

Oklahoma Suicides by Year

2000: 466

2001: 506

2002: 491

2003: 476

2004: 502

2005: 509