Texas Ranks Low In Antidepressant Use Despite Higher Depression Rates
A new report published by the Whitley Law Firm reveals that Texas ranks among the states with the lowest percentage of adults taking antidepressant medications.
This is a surprising discovery, considering that nearly 8% of Texas adults also reported experiencing a major depressive episode recently.
According to the data, only 1.51% of Texas adults are estimated to be using prescription medication specifically for depression, placing the Lone Star State as the fifth-lowest in the country. That's approximately 15.06 people per 100,000 on antidepressants.
In comparison, West Virginia leads the nation with an estimated 3.50% of adults on antidepressants – more than double Texas' count.
Hawaii had the lowest rate of reported adult antidepressant use at just 0.82%, while New Jersey, California, and New York also reported rates under 1.5%.
Texas' low rate of antidepressant use stands in contrast to its relatively high rates of reported depression. According to the report, 7.90% of adults in the Lone Star state reported a major depressive episode recently.
The study, which drew on CDC and SAMHSA data from 2020 to 2023, shows an alarming regional divide in mental health treatment and different qualities of mental health infrastructure from state to state.
A spokesperson from Whitley Law Firm said the data points to some big 'regional variations' in mental health treatment, reflecting factors like healthcare access and attitudes or cultural differences towards treating mental health across America.
Nationally, the study found that states with the highest reported depression episodes don't always have the highest rates of medication use.
'The study reinforces the need for continued focus on mental health resources and support systems across the United States,' the law firm noted.
For Texas, the low antidepressant use could show reluctance to rely on medication for mental health problems, or it could point to bigger problems with barriers in accessing mental health services.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, in March, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $239 million in healthcare construction grants to expand mental health facilities in rural Texas, aiming to boost inpatient care options close to home. The money will allegedly go towards the construction of four new mental health care hospitals across the state.
'The State of Texas continues working to expand access to critical mental health resources to ensure Texans get the support they need, no matter where they live,' Abbott said via press release.
As mental health problems seemingly continue to rise across the country, the study's findings raise important questions about how and whether Texans are getting the help they need.
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