Regional Differences in Depression Rates

Is there a difference in the perception and treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in the United States relative to France?

Sofia Bacci, Marina Dorizas, and Chloe Troiano

Depression in America

While depression is prevalent throughout the United States, the specific region that struggles with the highest depression levels is the Midwest. The U.S. depression rate is 20.9% and the Midwest depression rate is 22.3%. This is why we have decided to focus our map on this region, and specifically, the states that have higher rates than others in this region.

Minnesota

The depression rate in Minnesota is one of the highest with the rate being 11.09%

North Dakota

The depression rate is also pretty high in North Dakota with the rate being 10.71%.

Montana

The depression rate in Montana is the lowest of the three yet still high relative to the U.S average with a rate of 7.62%

Depression in France

The depression rate in France is similar to that of the United States. Split up by sex, the depression rate for females is 15.8% and for males is 11%. Since we were unable to find a credible source detailing the region of France with the highest rate of depression, we did find a source detailing the area with one of the highest suicide rates. Since major depressive disorder and suicide are frequently correlated, we decided that it was still credible to use.

Languedoc-Roussillon

The suicide rates in this region are twice the French national rates. The French national rate for women 0.6% and for men 2% compared to 1% and 3.9% in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Conclusion

These statistics demonstrate that regional differences are apparent in mental health both within the same country and outside of it. This supports our research question as we want to determine if there are explicit reasons due to differences in treatment, viewpoints, and a variety of other factors.

Depression in America

While depression is prevalent throughout the United States, the specific region that struggles with the highest depression levels is the Midwest. The U.S. depression rate is 20.9% and the Midwest depression rate is 22.3%. This is why we have decided to focus our map on this region, and specifically, the states that have higher rates than others in this region.

Minnesota

The depression rate in Minnesota is one of the highest with the rate being 11.09%

North Dakota

The depression rate is also pretty high in North Dakota with the rate being 10.71%.

Montana

The depression rate in Montana is the lowest of the three yet still high relative to the U.S average with a rate of 7.62%

Depression in France

The depression rate in France is similar to that of the United States. Split up by sex, the depression rate for females is 15.8% and for males is 11%. Since we were unable to find a credible source detailing the region of France with the highest rate of depression, we did find a source detailing the area with one of the highest suicide rates. Since major depressive disorder and suicide are frequently correlated, we decided that it was still credible to use.

Languedoc-Roussillon

The suicide rates in this region are twice the French national rates. The French national rate for women 0.6% and for men 2% compared to 1% and 3.9% in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Conclusion

These statistics demonstrate that regional differences are apparent in mental health both within the same country and outside of it. This supports our research question as we want to determine if there are explicit reasons due to differences in treatment, viewpoints, and a variety of other factors.