January is mental wellness month. New research reveals that North Dakota, Vermont and Nebraska are the happiest and healthiest states in the U.S., while West Virginia and Louisiana rank last for mental well-being.
Soliant Health has released its 2025 Best States for Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states on factors that impact mental and physical health. Utilizing agency data and data from several reputable sources, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the report compared numerous factors that impact people’s mental health status.
The top-ranking states provide the best mental and physical resources to their populations, demonstrating factors such as mental health support for school students, sufficient access to exercise opportunities and access to healthy foods.
KEY FINDINGS
The analysis found that North Dakota is the best state for mental health, earning 82 out of 100 total possible points. The state has the nation’s lowest disconnected youth rate, which is the percentage of teenagers and young adults (ages 16-24) who are not working or in school, demonstrating a great support system.
In addition, North Dakota residents reported an average of 4.2 “poor mental health days” in the last 30 days—tying with Nebraska as the second lowest in the nation.
Coming in last, West Virginia had the highest average number of mentally unhealthy days reported by residents in the past 30 days. The state also has third-lowest physical activity participation rate and the second-highest disconnected youth rate in the nation.
“A standout finding from our analysis is the clear link between a state’s disconnected youth rate and its performance in key areas like mental health and employment,” says Lesley Slaughter, Soliant Senior Vice President of Education. “Disconnected youth—those not in school or working—face greater risks of mental health struggles, including vulnerability to violence, substance abuse and emotional challenges. They’re also more likely to encounter unemployment, poverty, and long-term mental health issues later in life.
“This correlation underscores just how critical school-based healthcare professionals are; they don’t just support students’ emotional well-being but also lay the foundation for brighter futures, helping today’s youth grow into thriving, healthy adults.”
By identifying the states leading the way, Soliant hopes to inspire meaningful change and highlight the importance of prioritizing mental wellness in every community. To dive deeper into the findings and see where your state ranks, click here.
