A 2022 report from Mental Health America found that New Jersey has the lowest rate of mental illness in the country among adults. However, Americans today are experiencing a national mental health crisis, and where patients live can impact whether they will receive high-quality mental health care.  

States that ranked with the lowest rates of mental illness, along with New Jersey, include Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. The highest rates of mental illness were in Alabama, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, and Colorado. When it comes to the best access to mental healthcare, it can be found in Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. However, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi rank among the lowest. Regarding mental health care, affordability is still a prevalent issue and is the most significant barrier facing patients seeking mental healthcare.

This article will explore mental health in New Jersey and share some fun facts, LGBTQ+ information, and history about this state. 

Lowest Rate of Mental Illness in New Jersey 

During the pandemic, more than three in ten adults in the nation have reported feeling symptoms of anxiety and/or depression (since May 2020). By comparison, from January to June 2019, about one in ten adults have experienced anxiety and/or depressive disorder symptoms.

From April 28 to May 10, 2021, it was determined that 27.8% of adults in New Jersey had symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder compared to 30.7% of adults in the nation. 

For adults in New Jersey who reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, 15.1% said they needed counseling or therapy but were not receiving it in the past month, compared to the national average of 24.2%.

Many children in the U.S. are especially struggling with mental health symptoms these days. If you want to find a psychologist for adults or kids, browse our listings at LGBTQ and All. 

LGBTQ+ Facts

New Jersey is welcoming and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, in 2020, one of the cities in NJ, Jersey City, received a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) annual Municipal Equality Index after receiving many perfect scores throughout the years. The LGBTQ+ magazine The Advocate also named Jersey City as the queerest city in America. 

LGBTQ+ people in New Jersey have the same rights and responsibilities as straight and cisgender people. In addition, LGBTQ+ people in N.J. have strong protections from discrimination and have been permitted to marry since October 2013.

For LGBTQ+ resources in N.J., you can visit Garden State Equality. 

Top Features in New Jersey

New Jersey is a northeastern United States state with around 130 miles of the Atlantic coast. There are many notable features and sites in N.J. Some of these include: 

1. Atlantic City’s Famous Boardwalk
2. Old Victorian Cape May
3. Liberty State Park
4. The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
5. Island Beach State Park
6. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
7. High Point State Park.
8. Six Flags Great Adventure
9. Ellis Island.
10. Thomas Edison National Historical Park
11.  There are also many N.J. farms, diners, and wineries that visitors and locals enjoy. 

Fun Facts

Here are some general facts about New Jersey:

• Its capital is Trenton
• The biggest city is Newark
• Its abbreviation is N.J.
• The State Bird of New Jersey is the eastern goldfinch
• The State Flower is the common violet
• It is nicknamed The Garden State

Here are some other fun facts:

• N.J. features the highest density population of any state in the nation. 
• Bruce Springsteen was born in Long Branch, NJ, United States
• 90% of the N.J. population resides in an urban area.
• More cars are stolen in Newark than in any other country. 
• N.J. is known to have a state seashell.

History/Data

New Jersey was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787. It was also the first state that signs the Bill of Rights. 

Other moments in history include:

• Trenton became the official state capital of New Jersey in 1790
• William Livingston was New Jersey’s very first state governor
• The early 1800s was a time when New Jersey grew and prospered

Why did New Jersey Rank Have the Lowest Rate for Mental Illness?

New Jersey mental illness rates came in at 16.14%, much lower than the national average of 21.1%. The previously mentioned study also found that the state’s location provides access to some of the best mental health treatment facilities in New York City and opportunities for families to live close to parks. In other words, being near nature can increase mental well-being.

The state received its highest marks in the study as follows:

• Overall mental health (#2)
• A third-place standing for opportunity
• A fourth-place ranking for overall diversity
• The third-lowest divorce rate in the nation

Takeaway 

New Jersey is an excellent place to live, as evidenced by the favorable mental health rates conducted in the Mental Health America study. If you’re looking for mental health treatment in New Jersey or elsewhere, look at our listings on LGBTQ and All. In addition, we offer contact information for mental health professionals globally and other relevant facts about these practitioners so that you can make an informed choice for mental health care.