By Alexandra Glorioso
The other report, by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, focused on Florida and found that women’s mental health is declining while their suicide rates are going up. The Washington, D.C.-based tax-exempt policy group, which works with American University, is rated as one of the “least biased” organizations.
“The rate of Florida women’s mortality due to suicide increased from 5.5 per 100,000 women of all ages in 2001 to 6.5 per 100,000 women in 2015,” the report states. “The average number of days per month that women in Florida reported poor mental health also increased, from 3.7 days in 2000 to 4.5 days in 2015.”
The organization’s senior researcher, Julie Anderson, told POLITICO via email that Florida’s high number of uninsured women — due in large part to the state’s decision to not expand Medicaid — is likely a “contributing factor” to their increasing mental health issues.
“If those without health insurance are only seeking help for acute issues, at places like an urgent care center or ED [emergency department], they are unlikely to get help for mental health concerns unless they are in a psychiatric crisis,” Anderson wrote.
