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SAMHSA News Bulletin
Date: 6/11/2007
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130
New SAMHSA Report Provides State-Level Data on Depression
Approximately 9 percent of youths aged 12 to 17, and 7.6 percent of
adults aged 18 or older, experienced at least one major depressive
episode (MDE) in the past year according to data released today by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA). SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D., released the
findings at a Mental Health America meeting held in Washington, DC,
on June 9th.
The new analysis from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and
Health (NSDUH) shows that among 12 to 17 year olds, rates of past
year major depressive episode were among the highest in Idaho (10.4 percent) and Nevada
(10.3 percent). The rates were among the lowest in Louisiana (7.2
percent) and South Dakota (7.4 percent).
“The complexities associated with mental health problems leave
states with a heavy responsibility to provide effective and
responsive mental health promotion, treatment and recovery support
services. These data add to the information state mental health
authorities use to plan for and allocate resources,” SAMHSA
Administrator Terry Cline, PhD said.
State estimates of past year major depressive episode were produced using data from the
combined 2004 and 2005 NSDUH surveys. The prevalence of major depressive episode in each
state is based on standard definitions and survey methods applied
uniformly throughout the nation.
According to the survey, rates of past year major depressive episode among adults aged 18
or older were among the highest in Utah (10.1 percent) and Rhode
Island (9.9 percent). Hawaii and New Jersey had rates among the
lowest (6.7 percent and 6.8 percent respectively).
The survey also showed that there were few statistically significant
differences across states in the rates of past year major depressive episode among youths
and adults. The survey did not look at reasons for the interstate
variances.
Major depressive episode, as defined by the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), specifies a period of two weeks
or longer during which there is either depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure and at least four other symptoms that reflect a
change in functioning, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy,
concentration, and self-image.
State Estimates of Depression: 2004 and 2005 National Surveys on
Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is available on the Web at
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/states/depression.cfm
SAMHSA is a public health agency within
the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is
responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and
effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention,
addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery
system.
