NJ ranks as #3 US state for mental health

[Boyd]

I just caught a few seconds on the news where they were discussing this and assumed that it meant NJ ranked #3 for people with the most mental health issues. But... it's actually the other way around, we're #3 for the least mental health issues. "An overall ranking of 1-13 indicates lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care."

Here's the full list, I was rather surprised by some of these. But I wonder, is it just survival of the fittest? I mean, maybe New Jersey actually makes people so crazy that they flee to other states, lowering their rankings while those of us who are more resilient stay here?

1 New York
2 Hawaii
3 New Jersey
4 Vermont
5 Iowa
6 Massachusetts
7 Pennsylvania
8 Maine
9 Connecticut
10 Illinois
11 District of Columbia
12 Ohio
13 Michigan
14 Indiana
15 California
16 North Carolina
17 Oklahoma
18 Kansas
19 Delaware
20 New Hampshire
21 Wisconsin
22 Virginia
23 Maryland
24 Rhode Island
25 Kentucky
26 North Dakota
27 Louisiana
28 Mississippi
29 Minnesota
30 Nebraska
31 Utah
32 Alaska
33 Texas
34 Florida
35 Washington
36 Missouri
37 Georgia
38 South Dakota
39 South Carolina
40 Montana
41 Colorado
42 Oregon
43 New Mexico
44 Tennessee
45 Arkansas
46 West Virginia
47 Wyoming
48 Idaho
49 Alabama
50 Arizona
51 Nevada

Ranking the States | Mental Health America

mhanational.org

 

[bicycle tim]

Perhaps someone from Nevada, # 51on the list, is responsible for the rankings.

 

[RednekF350]

I thought I was experiencing mental health issues when I saw that the list contained 51 States.

 

[Teegate]

The District of Columbia is included That makes 51.

 

[this_is_nascar]

I don't believe it. So many people that I come into contact with in this state claim some type of mental illness. Seems like we must put a label on everything nowadays. What used to be "just having a bad day" is now labeled as some major mental issues, requiring drugs to lessen the symptoms.

If you're telling me that the majority of other states are worse than NJ as it relates to what's being called mental illness, then no wonder the county is in the state that we find it.

 

[RednekF350]

The District of Columbia is included That makes 51.

I know, but DC is not a State. Just being facetious.

FAQ | statehood

Frequently Asked Questions about Statehood for the People of DC What is Washington, DC? Washington, DC, isn't a state; it's a district. DC stands for District of Columbia. Its creation comes directly from the US Constitution, which provides that the district, "not exceeding 10 Miles square,"...

statehood.dc.gov

 

[Boyd]

Well, I don't know about this kind of thing, or how helpful such studies might be. However, you need to look at the 17 factors in that article which they used to create the list. As I understand, it's not just about how many people are mentally ill, but whether there are resources to help them and whether people are taking advantage of them. How valid is that? No idea.

There's an interesting example in that other news story about Joint Base MDL. We had a disturbed person create a hoax about a mass shooting. Other states have had real mass shootings on military bases, where are they on the list?....

Sure I can think of lots of problems here in New Jersey. I was born and raised in Missouri and have lived all over the US but have settled here in NJ for more than 30 years now. I retired in 2011 and could live anywhere I want. But I'm staying because I like it here. There are plenty of reasons why somebody might not be happy here, but complaining all the time just ruins your whole attitude about life. I found myself in a similar position back around 1990 and realized it was time for a complete change of scene. I have never regretted doing that.

 

[Teegate]

Sure I can think of lots of problems here in New Jersey. I was born and raised in Missouri and have lived all over the US but have settled here in NJ for more than 30 years now. I retired in 2011 and could live anywhere I want. But I'm staying because I like it here. There are plenty of reasons why somebody might not be happy here, but complaining all the time just ruins your whole attitude about life. I found myself in a similar position back around 1990 and realized it was time for a complete change of scene. I have never regretted doing that.

More than anything the weather here is great and almost always predictable. Just watching the news concerning weather issues across the country seals the deal.

 

[M1 Abrams]

When I saw the survey of mental health issues by state, the quote by James Petigru about his home state of South Carolina after it seceded from the Union in December 1860 popped into my head:

"South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum."

Of course, back in the early 20th Century, New Jersey governor Fielder would probably have given the Garden State a much lower ranking due to his low opinion of the "race of imbeciles, criminals, and defectives" residing in the Pine Barrens.

 

[RJG]

NJ is ranked third on the list because my family claims residency in Pennsylvania.

 

[bobpbx]

Speaking of Nevada, this headline in a NY Times article today is not surprising to me. In my opinion, when certain dealmakers opened up the entire country to sports gambling, I knew all hell would break loose. It's horrible now to see the bet line DURING the ball game!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH LAS VEGAS? As prices skyrocket and international travel declines, the city finds itself caught in a perfect storm.

 

[manumuskin]

Im one of the ones who intend on fleeing and i beg to differ about most of NJ being pretty sane. I still see people everyday driving alone wearing masks and walking alone outside wiyh them on as well and alone. I do feel like im still in an insane asylum. Maybe its because no one can take a relaxing woods drive here anymore because the roads are all closed off? I wilm miss the NJ woods and streams but i am fleeing for less populated places nonetheless where the state bird isnt a middle fonger

 

[bobpbx]

I do feel like im still in an insane asylum.

Well, it is Cumberland County you live in.

 

[manumuskin]

Well, it is Cumberland County you live in.

Yes Salem and Cape May are defintely a bit more sane. My part of the county isnt as bad as some others but its changing. Cant take a breath anymore without catching a buzz

 

[Boyd]

Well, I enjoy relaxing woods drives in Peaslee and Belleplain. Haven't noticed any closed roads and rarely even pass another car. But if I do pass another car and somebody is wearing a mask, I couldn't care less.

But like I said, if you're not happy then find another place where you are, that can be a turning in your whole life.

 

[bobpbx]

Yes Salem and Cape May are defintely a bit more sane. My part of the county isnt as bad as some others but its changing. Cant take a breath anymore without catching a buzz

You know what I find really odd? I can smell the cannabis even at 70 miles an hour on the parkway. And my windows are usually not open, maybe 3 inches sometimes.

 

[manumuskin]

You know what I find really odd? I can smell the cannabis even at 70 miles an hour on the parkway. And my windows are usually not open, maybe 3 inches sometimes.

Like having your nose stuffed up a skunks butt and no ive never actually done that

 

[RJG]

I’m in Cape May County and I have a client who donates her time to an organization called Volunteers In Medicine that provides free health care to people who can’t afford it. She said the biggest problem they see is mental heath issues and they have virtually no professionals in that field who are willing to donate their time.

 

[Teegate]

Haven't noticed any closed roads

Keep your eyes open because it may be coming.

 

[Boyd]

I don't doubt that for a minute. But honestly, it's not an issue that concerns me. I do understand why others are upset by what's happening in Wharton and don't like the way the state has handled that at all however.