Many Americans live with mental health conditions, but access to mental health care varies significantly by state.
MoneyGeek recently ranked the best and worst states for mental health care based on factors including access and quality of care, cost and prevalence of mental health conditions in the area; each category was given a weighted score out of 100.
Vermont is the best state for mental health care, with the most access to mental health treatment compared to other states. Mental health care in Vermont also comes at a lower cost.
Other top states for mental health care include Alaska and Massachusetts. Alaska has the lowest prevalence of mental health conditions among its residents, while Massachusetts is ranked as the best state for affordable mental health treatment costs.
Read more: Are employers still failing to take Gen Z's mental health seriously?
Alabama is the worst state for mental health care, with the least affordable mental health treatment, as well as limited access to mental health care.
Other worst states for mental health care include Texas and Louisiana. Texas has limited access to mental health care and expensive treatment. Louisiana also has limited access to mental health treatment.
Read more about the best and worst states for mental health care.
Worst states for mental health care
Overall
rank | State | Overall
score | Access
score | Cost
score | Prevalence
score |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 34.03 | 37.70 | 58.10 | 6.30 |
| 9 | Mississippi | 33.34 | 55.20 | 11.80 | 33.10 |
| 8 | Wyoming | 31.92 | 44.30 | 17.70 | 33.90 |
| 7 | Florida | 29.26 | 5.50 | 27.20 | 55.10 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 28.55 | 0.00 | 58.10 | 27.60 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 24.89 | 41.50 | 21.30 | 11.80 |
| 4 | Georgia | 23.21 | 13.70 | 10.30 | 45.70 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 21.74 | 3.80 | 33.80 | 27.60 |
| 2 | Texas | 20.67 | 4.40 | 8.80 | 48.80 |
| 1 | Alabama | 19.41 | 5.50 | 0.00 | 52.80 |
Best states for mental health care
| Overall rank | State | Overall
score | Access
score | Cost
score | Prevalence
score |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 60.23 | 64.50 | 60.30 | 55.90 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 62.65 | 87.40 | 59.60 | 40.90 |
| 8 | Delaware | 63.03 | 56.80 | 66.90 | 65.40 |
| 7 | California | 63.88 | 45.90 | 54.40 | 91.30 |
| 6 | Montana | 66.48 | 99.50 | 77.90 | 22.10 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 67.15 | 79.80 | 61.00 | 60.60 |
| 4 | Minnesota | 67.96 | 76.50 | 47.10 | 80.30 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 71.26 | 63.40 | 100.00 | 50.40 |
| 2 | Alaska | 80.77 | 75.40 | 66.90 | 100.00 |
| 1 | Vermont | 82.64 | 100.00 | 90.40 | 57.50 |
