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Nearly a third of Georgia adults feel anxious or depressed

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Nearly a third of Georgia adults feel anxious or depressed


IN OTHER NEWS – New research analyzing health data reveals that nearly a third of Georgia adults feel anxious or depressed.

Release:

  • Georgia ranks 14th for states with the largest proportion of adult residents with symptoms of anxiety or depression at 31.77%.
  • Mississippi has been identified as the most anxious and depressed state for adults at 35.46%.
  • Minnesota has the lowest percentage of the adult population experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression, with only 25.47%. 

New research has named the states where adults are feeling the most anxious and depressed, with Georgia revealed as one of the states that it is the biggest cause for concern.

The study, conducted by mushroom spore specialists SporesMD, analyzed government health data to identify where in America anxiety and depression are the most common in adults.

Both are types of mental disorders, with depression characterized by a low mood that negatively impacts your day-to-day life, while anxiety creates feelings of unease and worry.

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According to the findings, Georgia ranks 14th among states where adults are struggling with the two disorders the most, with 31.77% of its adult population reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Mississippi adults are struggling with their mental health the most, with 35.46% of them experiencing the symptoms.

In second is Louisiana, with 34.98% of the state’s adult population feeling anxious or depressed. Oklahoma is third, with 34.54% of adult residents reporting symptoms.

States with the highest percentage of adult population with symptoms of anxiety or depression

Rank  State  Percentage of population with symptoms of anxiety or depression 
1. Mississippi  35.46%
2. Louisiana  34.98%
3. Oklahoma  34.54% 
4. Arkansas  34.51%
5. West Virginia 33.95% 
6. Kentucky  33.87%
7. Utah 33.64%
8. Alabama 33.62%
9. Nevada 33.52%
10. Oregon 32.79%
11. New Mexico 32.40%
12. Texas 31.88%
13. Missouri 31.85%
14. Georgia 31.77%
15. Tennessee 31.74%

At the other end of the scale, anxiety and depression are of least concern among adults in Minnesota, with only 25.47% of the adult population experiencing these disorders.

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Vermont is the state with the second lowest percentage of adult residents feeling anxious or depressed at 26.19%. Following very closely in third is Hawaii at 26.24%.

States with the lowest percentage of adult population with symptoms of anxiety or depression

Rank  State  Percentage of population with symptoms of anxiety or depression 
1. Minnesota  25.47%
2. Vermont  26.19%
3. Hawaii  26.24%
4. Delaware  26.33%
5. Wisconsin  26.69%
6. North Dakota  27.00%
7. Maryland  27.15%
8. South Dakota  27.18%
9. New Jersey  27.51%
10.  New York  27.55%
11. Connecticut 27.81%
12. Rhode Island 28.02%
13. New Hampshire 28.35%
14. Nebraska 28.92%
15. Maine 28.98%

Commenting on the findings, Anthony Bautista, CEO of SporesMD, said:

“As more and more people, particularly young adults, wrestle with anxiety and depression as the mental health crisis continues, it’s crucial that Americans are equipped with the right support and information for dealing with the negative feelings.

“Making healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising more regularly, eating nutritious meals and ensuring you are getting enough sleep can go a long way in boosting your mental health.

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“Some people also choose to try alternative coping strategies such as microdosing mushrooms, as evidence suggests it can have a positive impact on your state of mind.

“The experience can introduce you to a fresh, more positive outlook on a current situation that you may be struggling to process, as it can open your mind to a new way of thinking.

“It can be particularly useful to write down how you are feeling on the days that follow to help reaffirm this new perspective.”

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Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

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Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia


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A quiet stretch of the Georgia coast is back in the national spotlight.

In a recent feature, Southern Living highlighted the Golden Isles as one of the South’s most serene escapes, praising the region’s undeveloped marshes, barrier islands and slower pace compared to other East Coast beach destinations.

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Located roughly halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, the Golden Isles include Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons Island.

Here’s what to know.

What makes Georgia’s Golden Isles different?

Unlike more densely developed beach towns in neighboring states, Georgia’s coastline is defined by tidal creeks, salt marshes and wide stretches of protected land.

“The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina,” Southern Living wrote. “It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns.”

While the islands offer modern resorts and vacation homes, much of the natural character remains intact.

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One of the most photographed spots is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its haunting remains of a maritime forest scattered along the shoreline.

Where are visitors staying?

The publication pointed to several well-known properties across the islands:

  • The Cloister at Sea Island
  • Jekyll Island Club Resort
  • St. Simons Island: The Grey Owl Inn and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Little St. Simons Island, accessible only by boat, was highlighted for its all-inclusive lodge and thousands of acres of protected marshland and upland habitat.

What can you do in the Golden Isles?

Southern Living emphasized simple, immersive experiences:

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  • Biking under live oaks
  • Kayaking through marsh creeks
  • Horseback riding along the beach
  • Watching sunsets over the water.

Public beaches like East Beach on St. Simons Island remain open to visitors, while golf courses on Jekyll Island and St. Simons offer year-round play.

The region’s history also plays a major role. Visitors can climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, explore historic districts in Brunswick or learn about Gullah Geechee heritage through local organizations.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/georgias-golden-isles-11906085.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.



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Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering $2B in Georgia tax relief

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Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering B in Georgia tax relief


Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday signed HB 973, the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The amended budget includes $2 billion in income and property tax relief, alongside investments in education, public safety, mental health, transportation and rural development.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Gov. Kemp, saying the budget…

“Makes critical investments in middle-class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation and Georgia’s veterans community.”

Key allocations in the amended budget include:

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  • Education and Workforce Development: $325 million to endow the DREAMS Scholarship, a new needs-based scholarship program; $6 million for a Career Navigator tool; and funding for new and expanded programs at University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia institutions.
  • Public Safety: $150 million for Department of Corrections bed space, $9.7 million for additional corrections officers, $15 million for a new K-9 training facility, and $50 million to help communities address homelessness, including among veterans.
  • Mental Health: $409 million to design and construct a new Georgia Regional Hospital to expand mental health bed capacity.
  • Transportation: More than $1.6 billion to extend and expand I-75 express lanes in Henry County; $185 million for SR 316 interchange conversions; $100 million for rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement; and $250 million for local maintenance and improvement grants.
  • Rural Georgia: $15 million for rural site development grants; $35 million for a new natural gas infrastructure program; and $8.9 million for the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative.

Governor Kemp says the state’s conservative budgeting approach has allowed Georgia to provide tax relief while making “generational investments.”



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Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’

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Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’


Middle Georgia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has issued a statement regarding the U.S. and Israel’s joint strikes on Iran over the weekend.

According to other WGXA articles, based on reports as of early March 2026, the United States and Israel have launched major, coordinated military operations against Iran, labeled in reports as “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Midnight Hammer”. This follows months of failed nuclear negotiations and escalating regional tensions.

RELATED | Hegseth insists US-Israel strikes on Iran are ‘not Iraq, not endless’

WGXA asked Middle Georgia DSA, the largest activist organization in Middle Georgia, for their opinions on the strikes, and they responded with this:

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The strikes on Iran, carried out by the United States and Israel, mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of aggression. The Iranian people do not deserve to live in fear of American bombs and of the instability of regime change. Americans do not want our tax dollars and the lives of our people to be wasted on opening up a new war in the Middle East, or on bombing girls’ elementary schools. We want relief from the affordability crisis. We want peace. Middle Georgia DSA unequivocally condemns these attacks and any politicians who cannot do the same. We do not want this, we do not deserve this.

DSA added that they are not currently planning any protests at this time, and that they “remain focused on improving the conditions of people who live within our communities directly, and do not feel a protest is the best strategy to deliver on that.”

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’, March 2, 2026 (Image is meant to say 2026 instead of 2025, Courtesy of GCSU Mutual Aid)

However, GCSU Mutual Aid, a grassroots, community-led initiative focused on collective care and resource sharing within the Milledgeville and broader Middle Georgia area. While not an official department of Georgia College & State University (GCSU), it frequently operates in coordination with student-led groups and local residents to address gaps in traditional social safety nets.

RELATED | GCSU encourages peaceful expression ahead of national ICE walkout

GCSU Mutual Aid is planning a protest for Wednesday, where they will be “Marching for Democracy” in retaliation to recent events in the U.S.

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