Research Alert: June 16, 2020

Major Depression, Treatment Receipt, and Treatment Sources Among Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Adults

Major depression remains a relatively common health problem, afflicting approximately 7% of both non-metropolitan and metropolitan adults in the U.S. However, little is known about the prevalence of major depression and receipt of treatment for major depression among non-metropolitan as compared to metropolitan residents. Major depression is defined using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) definition of a major depressive episode meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V criteria and is termed depression.

Using the 2017 NSDUH, with an unweighted sample size of 42,066 for U.S. adults ages 18 years and older who satisfied criteria for past year depression, this study estimated and compared between non-metropolitan and metropolitan adults the prevalence of depression, receipt of treatment for depression, and sources of treatment for depression.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders Among Non-Metropolitan Residents
• Perceived Treatment Need and Utilization for Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders in Non-Metropolitan Areas
• Suicidal Thoughts, Plans, and Attempts by Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Residence
• More information about the Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guides: Healthcare Access, Mental Health, Rural Health Disparities, Rural Health Policy, Substance Use and Misuse