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

Abstract

Overview of Key Findings 7.8% of non-metropolitan (weighted number of persons=2,755,020) and 7.1% of metropolitan (weighted number of persons=14,868,655) adults had past year major depression. Treatment receipt (seeing a health professional or using prescription medication for depressive feelings) was similar among non-metropolitan (68.0%) and metropolitan (64.6%) adults. A closer examination of the type and source of treatment revealed the following: Rates of seeing a health professional were similar among non-metropolitan (60.8%) and metropolitan (58.4%) adults, but rates of using prescription medication for depressive feelings were higher among non-metropolitan (58.2%) than metropolitan (48.6%) adults. Rates of visiting a general practice/family doctor were higher among non-metropolitan (43.7%) than metropolitan (34.5%) adults.