Mental health organizations are marking World Mental Health Day today, October 10, by raising awareness of the problems surrounding mental health.
On Thursday, federal officials said, 9% of adult Americans currently meet the criteria for clinical depression. And overall more people in the Southeast of the U.S. met the criteria for depression, compared with other parts of the nation, the researchers found.
These finding are supported by Gallup’s 2012 survey, that is, Southern states scored lowest for well-being.
Clinical psychologist and CDC epidemiologist Lela McKnight-Eily told USA Today in 2010 that the South might be more depressed because of the prevalence of chronic health issues such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, and sleep problems.
“In addition, there could also be differences in socioeconomic status, the presence of other mental health conditions and also access to health care and treatment,” McKnight-Eily said.
