According to a recent survey by Forbes Advisor, Alabama ranks third in the U.S. for the worst mental health care, with Texas holding the top spot for the second year in a row. Despite the fact that over 50% of adults with mental illness do not receive treatment due to cost, one in five American adults experiences a mental health condition every year. This is a common issue in the South, where six out of the top 10 worst states for mental health care are located, including Georgia and Florida.
The survey used seven key metrics to determine the rankings, including the percentage of adults with mental illness who are not receiving treatment and the availability of treatment centers in the state. Alabama received a score of 87.6 out of 100 in this study.
Alabama has several challenges when it comes to mental health care. The state has one of the highest percentages of uninsured adults with mental illness, at 17.9%. Additionally, only 35% of adults who do not receive any treatment receive adequate treatment, while 62.4% do not receive any treatment at all. The state also ranks eighth for youth with private insurance that does not cover mental health and sixth for adults who cannot see a doctor due to cost.
The data underscores how difficult it can be for residents of Alabama to access quality mental health care, particularly given that there are only 12.46 treatment centers per 10,000 businesses in the state – making it one of the fewest numbered states with such centers.
Overall, this survey highlights that there is still much work to be done to improve access to quality mental health care across America and especially in states like Alabama where resources may be limited.
