Skip to main content
Oregon moved up three spots in Mental Health America’s latest annual report ranking the prevalence and access to care among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Oregon is now 47th.
The reason: improving access to care. More people with mental illnesses are being insured and getting treatment, the report says. Since last year’s report, the number of uninsured adults with mental illness dropped from 10% to 4%. And far fewer people reported being unable to see a doctor because of the cost.
“The state has made significant investments in treatment over the last couple of years, and it is promising to see that the outcomes of these efforts are demonstrated in the MHA report,” Gov. Tina Kotek says. “And, still, it is clear Oregonians are struggling.” She says she will continue her efforts to improve the state’s mental health system.
To be sure, Oregon still isn’t doing well. The state held on to last place in a ranking of the prevalence of mental illness.
Still, the report is welcome news for state policymakers, who have been pouring cash lately into Oregon’s behavioral health care system in hopes of addressing what is a nationwide issue. Nearly a quarter of Americans report having had a mental illness within the last year.
Most of the data in the report was collected in 2022, and it will likely be a few years before the report reflects the state’s latest investments.
Updated with comments by Gov. Tina Kotek.