How Wisconsin Compares Against the National Mental Health Rankings
The study examined multiple health factors, including frequent mental distress, life expectancy, and physical inactivity, to assign each state a mental health ranking score.
Wisconsin secures a score of 61.8, claiming 19th place for mental well-being.
Hawaii leads the rankings with a score of 91.4, with West Virginia falling behind at 5.6.
A new analysis has examined how each state’s mental health data compares across the country, with Wisconsin ranking above the national average.
The study, conducted by Leafwell, examined various health indicators for each state, including levels of frequent mental distress, physical inactivity, number of poor mental health days, life expectancy, access to exercise and median household income. An overall health score was calculated for each state out of 100, leading to a ranking based on these critical health metrics.
Wisconsin has calculated a total score of 61.8, placing it 19th within the overall national rankings. Despite a median annual income that is 2.6% lower than the US average, at $67,200, Wisconsin exceeds the average life expectancy by almost a whole year, reaching the age of 79. This state does experience slightly more poor mental health days than the everyday American, listed at five per month, but only 13% of the population experience frequent mental distress. Wisconsin also has a relatively high 80% physical activity rate among the population, due to 84% having access to exercise opportunities – the national average is 81%.
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Commenting on the study, Mitchell L. Doucette, PhD., M.S., Director of Research at Leafwell, said, “As we delve into the intricacies of Wisconsin’s health metrics, it becomes evident that factors such as access to exercise opportunities, median household income, and mental health resources play pivotal roles in shaping the well-being of communities.”
“By highlighting the attributes of Wisconsin and other states in the rankings, we aim to inspire conversations and initiatives that prioritize comprehensive approaches to improve the quality of life for residents nationwide.”
The Five Best States for Mental Health
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Rank
State
Score
1
Hawaii
91.4
2
Massachusetts
83.0
3
New Jersey
80.1
4
California
79.5
5
Colorado
79.4
Securing the top spot is Hawaii, boasting a health score of 91.4. Despite its relatively small population of 1.4 million, Hawaii is often synonymous with a stress-free environment. It stands out with the highest average life expectancy among all states, reaching an impressive 82.3 years. The state also excels in mental well-being, experiencing an average of only 3.6 days of poor mental health per month. Remarkably, only 11% of the population reports more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month, reflecting low levels of frequent mental distress.
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The Five Worst States for Mental Health
Rank
State
Score
1
West Virginia
5.6
2
Arkansas
8.7
3
Mississippi
8.9
4
Alabama
14.9
5
Kentucky
15.0
West Virginia has the lowest overall well-being, earning a health score of just 5.6. With a population of 1.7 million, a concerning 19% of residents report experiencing frequent mental distress, which translates to more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month. This alarming percentage is the highest across the United States. Additionally, the state faces the challenge of the second-worst life expectancy at 74.3 years. This figure is notably four years below the national average, reflecting a critical health disparity within the state.
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ENDS
If using the story, please credit and link to https://leafwell.com/medical-card/minnesotawho conducted the research.
Sources:University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
Methodology: The study analyzed the mental and physical well-being across all 50 states. An index was developed by gathering statistics on median household income, frequent mental distress, poor mental health days, access to exercise opportunities, physical inactivity rate, life expectancy, and population. By averaging the data and combining each variable, a health score out of 100 was calculated, respectfully ranking each state.
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Full State Ranking for Mental Health
Rank
State
Score
1
Hawaii
91.4
2
Massachusetts
83.0
3
New Jersey
80.1
4
California
79.5
5
Colorado
79.4
6
Washington
75.0
7
Connecticut
75.0
8
Maryland
74.8
9
Minnesota
73.1
10
Utah
71.4
11
New Hampshire
70.8
12
Oregon
68.7
13
Virginia
68.4
14
Alaska
67.6
15
Illinois
67.1
16
New-York
65.5
17
Rhode-Island
65.3
18
Nebraska
62.1
19
Wisconsin
61.8
20
Vermont
59.8
21
Arizona
58.9
22
Idaho
57.5
23
South Dakota
56.9
24
Florida
54.6
25
Delaware
54.1
26
Montana
54.0
27
Wyoming
53.4
28
Pennsylvania
52.5
29
Kansas
51.9
30
Texas
51.8
31
Iowa
51.2
32
North Dakota
50.7
33
North Carolina
48.7
34
Maine
48.5
35
Michigan
48.3
36
Nevada
44.2
37
Georgia
40.9
38
Ohio
40.9
39
New Mexico
38.8
40
Missouri
35.3
41
Indiana
34.4
42
South Carolina
29.0
43
Tennessee
26.4
44
Oklahoma
22.5
45
Louisiana
18.2
46
Kentucky
15.0
47
Alabama
14.9
48
Mississippi
8.9
49
Arkansas
8.7
50
West Virginia
5.6
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Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
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Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
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Here’s a look at July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 0-6-9
Evening: 8-6-6
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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 9-3-8-0
Evening: 4-5-2-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 01-04-05-07-09-11-12-17-18-21-22
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Evening: 05-06-10-11-12-13-14-16-17-19-21
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
05-06-23-28-31
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 15 drawing
04-08-15-16-21-33, Doubler: N
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Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks numbers from July 15 drawing
10-19-25-31-37-40
Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
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WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
(WLUK) — Northeast Wisconsin community groups that helped during historic spring flooding can now apply for relief.
Applications for the United Way Fox Cities and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Flood Relief fund are now open.
The grants are available to local nonprofits and churches serving residents in Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah/Menasha area of Winnebago counties who are engaging in relief efforts both short-term and long-term.
Grants are available to:
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501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Groups fiscally sponsored by a qualified 501(c)(3)
Churches and other public entities able to receive tax-deductible contributions
These grants are not available to private foundations, individuals or businesses directly, labor unions, or 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organizations.
The funding provided to these community organizations will help with housing and safe shelter, food, health and well-being, and financial assistance.
For individual homeowners and renters seeking relief, you can apply for FEMA assistance.
President Trump recently approved $22.6 million in federal aid for Northeast Wisconsin. The request made earlier this year asked for $27 million.
