Utah is the most depressed state in the country, according to a nationwide study.

The first-of-its kind examination of "level" of depression and actual outcomes for those seeking help for it ranks Utah 51st on a list of 51. South Dakota has the "best depression status" in the country.

The study was conducted by Mental Health America, formerly known as the National Mental Health Association. It is the country's largest nonprofit mental health advocacy group and has 320 affiliates nationwide. The research was underwritten by a grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest drug manufacturing companies in the world. The company manufactures the over-the-counter drugs Robitussin and Advil as well as the prescription drugs Premarin and Effexor.

A spokesman for Mental Health America said the study isn't to point fingers at any state in particular but to highlight the country's major need for mental health resources, preventative treatment and federal legislation that would make mental health services as important as other medical insurance-based coverage.

The full "Ranking America's Mental Health: An Analysis of Depression Across the States" will be available at www.mentalhealthamerica.net after 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com