Georgia ranks shockingly low for mental health care access

The last few years have been hard on us all. The instances of mental illness have skyrocketed from just 10 years ago. According to a new study conducted by Forbes Advisor, one in five American adults experience poor mental health, and it seems Georgia is no exception.

Forbes compared all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., across seven key metrics, and the results are bleak. America is not doing great when it comes to providing services for those who grapple with mental illness, but the South has proven to be the worst.

Georgia ranks second among the worst states for mental health care, and the others in the top five are all from the South as well.

GEORGIA’S MENTAL HEALTH STATS

34% of affected adults didn’t seek mental health treatment because of cost.

Only 10.5 out of 10,000 businesses are devoted to mental health treatment — this is the fourth fewest in the country.

17% of Georgians are uninsured. That is almost 2 million people statewide.

66% of young people with depression do not receive mental health services.

13% of insured youth aren’t covered for mental health treatment. More than half of adults with mental health issues don’t receive any treatment at all — 57%.

TIPS TO SEEK TREATMENT IF COST IS A FACTOR

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration is a good resource to connect you with treatment or services that fit your needs.

If you feel safe, ask a trusted professional — teacher, social worker, doctor — to recommend facilities that offer free or low-cost services. Check with Georgia’s Mental Health Agency. They can help find someone in your area. If you are a student, the University System of Georgia can offer some recommendations on your local campus.

If you served in the military, the Veterans Affairs office may be of use.

If you are in a position to buy healthcare, find free or low-cost treatments which allow you to pay according to what you make.

THINGS TO DO ON YOUR OWN

While it is always best to seek help when you can, the National Institute of Mental Health offers some strategies that might help mitigate the symptoms while you try to find treatment:

Get regular exercise. Make sleep a priority. Stay connected to loved ones.

Set manageable goals with self-awareness of what is possible for you. Try to identify and label your intrusive thoughts. Participate in an activity you find relaxing.

If you or someone you are close to is experiencing troubling or concerning behavior, call the Georgia Mobile Crisis hotline at 1-800-715-4225