"It always seems to surprise people that social and economic conditions can impact our health," said Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani, an assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, who was not part of the research.
"No study like this can prove cause and effect, but it does show a link between economic conditions and mental health," he said.
Venkataramani told CNN while a minimum wage increase based on this study or others is unlikely, the subject needs to be discussed considering the growing burden of poor mental health.
"The interesting thing is, even with changes in the minimum wage, there are other factors impacting suicide," Vankataramani said.