Iowa Named One of The Most Depressed States in the US
I don't feel depressed most days, but apparently, most of Iowa does. A new study conducted by Blue Cross Blue Shield says that the Hawkeye State is suffering from high rates of major depression. A staggering 5 percent of Iowa's population struggles with the mental health disorder.
BCBS reports that major depression has been on the rise in recent years with the diagnosis rising 63 percent among young adults and 47 percent among millennials between 2013-2016. Much of the Midwest is suffering along with Iowa, including surrounding states Missouri, Kansas, and Minnesota, which has a 6 percent rate. Illinois is slightly lower than Iowa with a 4 percent rate.
Hawaii has the lowest rate in the US, at just 2 percent. It's unclear whether the weather plays a factor in how depressed a state is, but it does seem as though temperate areas typically have lower rates.
Check out the rest of the map here.