Study: Suicide, healthcare linked

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A state-by-state survey finds depression tends to be least common where access to mental healthcare is easiest, a U.S. advocacy group said Wednesday.

The report by Mental Health America compared rates of suicide and depression with factors like average income and education, the number of psychiatrists and psychologists relative to population, whether residents report they cannot afford healthcare and whether state laws require insurers to cover mental illness.

"It is important to note that regardless of where each state ranks, there is much room for improvement," said Dr. David Shern, president of Mental Health America. "While a number of factors including biology and environment affect an individual's mental health, this study shows that states can significantly improve their populations' mental health status by adopting policies that expand access to treatments."

The study was funded by Wyeth, but Mental Health America said that the pharmaceutical company was not involved in the design.