The Best Areas for Mental Health Care

In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in global mental health awareness, reflected in changes to many countries’ healthcare infrastructure. With more patients than ever seeking mental health services, it’s important that wards stay well-equipped and accessible.

The health insurance comparison service iSelect analysed mental health services around the world to show where diagnosis is the fastest on average. The index ranks Australian states, US states, and European countries with a score from 0 to 100 to highlight the quality and speed of their mental health services. Read on to see if your local area makes our list:

The Australian states with the best mental health care index stats

1. Tasmania

Despite being one of the least populous states in Australia, Tasmania scores 78.81 out of 100 on our rankings, making it the best-ranked state for treating mental health issues in the country. Our data shows that 19.8% of Tasmania’s residents have mental health disorders lasting more than 12 months, but thanks to the state’s 235.4 care providers per 100k people, and its $393 AUD government mental health spending per capita, it’s the best place in the country to receive treatment.

2. Western Australia

Western Australia has the second-highest government mental health expenditure per capita in the country, at $413 AUD. With 23.1% of the population having a long-term mental health disorder, there are 253.5 mental health care providers per 100k people, giving it a total score of 71.62 out of 100.

3. Victoria

Scoring 62.31 out of 100 on our mental health index, Victoria ranks well across all our categories. It has the second-highest number of mental health providers adjusted for population (277.7 per 100k), and the second-highest search volume for mental health queries (394.8 per 100k).

4. New South Wales

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, ranks fourth on our list. Although it has the lowest government mental health expenditure per capita in the country ($260.60 AUD), it has the lowest share of residents with a long-term mental health disorder, with just 19.5% of citizens requiring care. This means its 237.2 care providers per 100k people aren’t overcrowded.

5. Australian Capital Territory

Capping off our top five is the ACT, which has the most mental health care providers per 100k residents in the country (320.4). The region also boasts the third-highest search volume for mental health queries, with 354.5 searches per 100k people last year. These add up to give it a total score of 53.90 out of 100.

The US states with the best mental health care index scores

1. District of Columbia

With 777.1 mental health care providers per 100k residents, and with just 13.3% of its population experiencing frequent mental distress, the District of Columbia is the best region in the US for mental health patients. It ranks in the top ten states for government mental health expenditure per capita, with a typical resident receiving $384.55 USD ($543.39 AUD) in support each year. Overall, it scores 68.54 in our index.

2. Vermont

Vermont boasts the second-highest government mental health care expenditure per capita in the US, at $463.17 USD ($654.49 AUD). It also has the fifth-highest number of mental health care providers in the country, with 613.0 per 100k residents. These are some of the biggest contributing factors to its total score of 64.65, earning it second place.

3. Connecticut

Connecticut is among the ten states with the lowest rate of frequent mental health distress in the US, as just 13.9% of its residents report recurring issues. Its citizens are also largely happy with the mental health services provided, as just 21.6% of people with mental illnesses had issues with receiving treatment. With a total score of 63.89 out of 100, it earns a bronze medal for its mental health service quality.

4. Alaska

Alaskans looking for mental health treatment have plenty of options to choose from, as the state has the highest number of care providers in the US adjusted for population (822.0 per 100k). It also ranks in the top ten states with the highest mental health care expenditure per capita from the government, with each resident receiving $303.73 USD ($429.19 AUD) in funding annually. Its final score of 62.43 earns it a spot in our top five overall.

5. Massachusetts

Narrowly beating competition from Oregon (59.73) and Maine (59.66), Massachusetts rounds out the top five US states for mental health services. It scores 60.18 in our overall index, with just 13.3% of citizens reporting frequent mental distress. Plus, with 813.9 mental health care providers per 100k residents, it’s one of the best-equipped states for treating patients.

The European countries with the best mental health care index stats

1. Norway

Scandinavian countries are renowned for their progressive values and strong healthcare infrastructure, so Norway’s placement at the top of our list shouldn’t come as a surprise. The country spends 13.5% of its annual health budget on mental health care (the second highest in Europe), with 23.77 psychiatrists per 100k Norwegians, which contributes to its high score of 71.53 out of 100.

2. Lithuania

Lithuania has the fifth-lowest rate of mental health issues in Europe, as just 13.5% of the population has long-term disorders. This may be why just 29.6% of Lithuanians with mental health issues report their needs being unmet by the country’s infrastructure (the lowest rate of dissatisfaction in our data). Scoring 70.09 out of 100 overall, it ranks second in our top five.

3. Germany

Despite 73.5% of Germans stating that their mental health needs aren’t met by the country’s infrastructure, the country has the highest number of psychiatrists per 100k residents in Europe (28.9), as well as the third-highest proportion of government healthcare spending on mental health (11.3%). These help offset the high level of dissatisfaction, resulting in a final score of 66.43 for Germany.

4. France

A massive 15% of France’s healthcare budget goes towards mental health services, making it the best-funded country in Europe for its infrastructure. With 18.52% of the population having long-term mental health disorders, its network of 22.9 psychiatrists per 100k residents have their work cut out for them, but its total score of 61.41 out of 100 earns it a place in the top five.

5. Sweden

In fifth place, Sweden earns a total score of 47.61, marking the second time a Scandinavian country has appeared in our top five. The country spends 9% of its healthcare budget on mental health services, with 22.2 psychiatrists per 100k residents. However, its residents often feel under-represented, with 73.2% feeling that their needs are unmet by mental health care providers.