10 best, worst states for mental health provider availability

As of 2022, Alabama employs one mental health provider for every 800 people, the highest ratio of any state, according to Mental Health America’s 2024 report, “The State of Mental Health in America.”

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The mental health advocacy organization ranked states on 15 metrics. In this case, states were ranked according to the ratio of mental health providers for each state resident . The report, published July 29, draws from 2022 data, the last year available. 

Nationwide, there is one mental health provider for every 340 people. Massachusetts had the highest ratio, with one for every 140 people. Mental health providers include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists and advanced practice nurses. 

Here are the states with the highest and lowest availability of mental health providers: 

  1. Massachusetts: 140:1 
  2. Alaska: 150:1 
  3. District of Columbia: 160:1 
  4. Oregon: 160:1 
  5. Maine 190:1 
  6. Vermont: 190:1 
  7. Connecticut: 220:1 
  8. Rhode Island: 220:1 
  9. Washington: 220:1 
  10. Colorado: 230:1 

 

  1. Mississippi: 500:1 
  2. Florida: 510:1 
  3. Indiana: 530:1 
  4. Iowa: 530:1 
  5. Tennessee: 560:1 
  6. Arizona: 590:1 
  7. Georgia: 600:1 
  8. West Virginia: 620:1 
  9. Texas: 690:1 
  10. Alabama: 800:1 

Read the full report here. 

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