The number of Americans taking mental health prescription medication is up 6.4% in the last year, which means that 65 million people (1 in 5) are now prescribed medication to help them cope with stress, anxiety or depression, according to an online insurance marketplace.
Nationwide, 18 states have seen a 10-20% increase in the number of people taking prescription mental health medication in the last year, according to the research by QuoteWizard.
Colorado, West Virginia and Montana had the largest increases in people taking mental health medication, while Kentucky, New Jersey and Nebraska saw the largest decreases.
The report is based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The increase in prescriptions for mental health-related mediation really points to the impact COVID-19 is having on America’s mental health. Many people are struggling and they should be applauded for having the courage to reach out and ask for help,” said the report’s authors.
COVID-19 and Mental Health Medication
| State | % increase in people taking prescription mental health medication (Aug 2020-March 2021) | Average % of people taking prescription mental health medication |
| Colorado | 21.0% | 20.6% |
| West Virginia | 20.8% | 27.1% |
| Montana | 18.7% | 21.8% |
| South Dakota | 18.5% | 21.1% |
| Illinois | 17.1% | 20.1% |
| Nevada | 16.2% | 17.4% |
| Massachusetts | 15.4% | 23.0% |
| Maryland | 14.9% | 19.7% |
| Wyoming | 13.3% | 21.2% |
| North Carolina | 13.2% | 22.0% |
| Texas | 12.9% | 18.5% |
| New Hampshire | 12.1% | 23.6% |
| South Carolina | 12.0% | 23.0% |
| Mississippi | 11.4% | 23.2% |
| Connecticut | 10.9% | 20.8% |
| Oklahoma | 10.9% | 24.3% |
| Wisconsin | 10.6% | 21.8% |
| Minnesota | 10.1% | 22.7% |
| Kansas | 9.7% | 23.3% |
| North Dakota | 9.3% | 21.4% |
Source: QuoteWizard (quotewizard.com), an insurance comparison marketplace. The researchers analyzed Pulse Survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data range went from Aug. 19, 2020 to March 15, 2021.
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