Health

Happiest states for teenagers

Written by:
Ben Wittstein
July 18, 2018
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Happiest states for teenagers

While depression is an issue that has been plaguing Americans of all ages for centuries, it has begun to impact more young people in recent years. Rates of depression amongst children between the ages of 12 and 17 rose to 12.7% in 2015, a whopping 46% increase over the 8.7% rate 10 years before that. It can be difficult to identify what causes a person to develop depression, especially in the case of adolescents, who face a high volume of pressure, particularly navigating the academic and social difficulties of school.

Psychologists point to the fact that one of the biggest influencers of a person's happiness is where they live. The varied population densities, quality of high schools, and access to extracurricular activities offered in a state can all impact a teenager's experience while growing up. 

Using data from Table 30 of the 2015–2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, as well as the latest report from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), Stacker analyzed the states with the happiest teenagers. The 50 states and the District of Columbia were assessed according to a selection of survey responses in the following order of importance. Note: States were ranked according to their comparative responses to question #1, and in the event of a tie, those states in question were compared in regard to question #2, and so on.

  1. Percentage of adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year
  2. Percentage of adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks
  3. Percentage of high school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide
  4. Percentage of high school students who report they attempted suicide one or more time
  5. Percentage of high school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt

Read on to find out how happy teens are in your state and how that compares to the nation at large.

Click here to see the most and least educated states in America.

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#51. Oregon

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 16%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: N/A
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: N/A
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: N/A
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#50. Nevada

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 16%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 36%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#49. Idaho

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 16%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 35%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 22%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#48. Alaska

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 15%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 36%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 23%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 12%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#47. Wyoming

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 15%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 31%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 20%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 11%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

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#46. Colorado

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 15%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 31%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#45. Indiana

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 15%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 20%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#44. Utah

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 33%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 22%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#43. West Virginia

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 32%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 18%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#42. Oklahoma

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 32%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 19%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 11%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

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#41. Montana

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 31%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 21%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#40. Missouri

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 31%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 21%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#39. Rhode Island

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#38. Iowa

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 20%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#37. Wisconsin

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

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#36. Massachusetts

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 12%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 5%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#35. Maine

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#34. Ohio

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 14%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 26%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 6%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 1%

#33. Washington

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: N/A
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: N/A
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: N/A
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#32. Minnesota

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: N/A
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: N/A
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: N/A
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

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#31. Arkansas

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 40%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 23%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 16%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 7%

#30. Michigan

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 37%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 21%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#29. New Mexico

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 36%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 18%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#28. California

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 32%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#27. Virginia

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 30%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

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#26. Maryland

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 30%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: N/A
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#25. New Hampshire

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 28%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 6%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#24. Florida

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 28%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#23. Nebraska

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#22. Connecticut

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

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#21. Kansas

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 13%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 25%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#20. Arizona

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 36%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 19%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 11%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 5%

#19. Texas

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 34%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 18%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 12%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 5%

#18. Illinois

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 32%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#17. Tennessee

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 31%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

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#16. New York

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 30%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#15. Pennsylvania

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 15%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#14. North Carolina

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#13. Kentucky

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 15%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

#12. Delaware

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 28%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 7%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

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#11. Vermont

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 25%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: N/A
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 5%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#10. South Dakota

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 12%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 25%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 8%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#9. South Carolina

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 11%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 33%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 19%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 11%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#8. North Dakota

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 11%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 13%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#7. Mississippi

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 11%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 17%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 13%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 6%

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#6. Hawaii

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 11%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 2%

#5. Alabama

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 11%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 18%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 11%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 4%

#4. Louisiana

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 10%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 32%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 18%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 17%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 8%

#3. New Jersey

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 10%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 29%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 10%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: N/A

#2. Georgia

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 10%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 28%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 14%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 9%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 3%

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#1. Washington, D.C.

Adolescents who had at least one major depressive episode in a single year: 10%
Adolescents who felt sad or hopeless for a period of at least two weeks: 27%
High school students who report they seriously considered attempting suicide: 16%
High school students who report they attempted suicide one or more times: 16%
High school students who report they had to be treated by a doctor or nurse due to a suicide attempt: 7%

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