Therapists in Everett, WA and Nearby Locations

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Everett, Washington

For many, the large city of Everett, Washington serves as the pinnacle for West Coast living. As per the U.S. Census Bureau, the city is home to roughly 110,000 people. Notably, the population of the area is increasing with speed. Every ten years or so, the number of residents living in Everett grows by almost ten percent – significantly higher than some surrounding locations.

It is not hard to see why so many people are choosing to move to Everett, given the city’s many appealing characteristics. Amenities, such as grocery stores and restaurants, are pleasantly abundant. Around just about every street corner is a great place to grab a bite to eat, get some shopping done, and more. And, if you are the type of person who prefers walking or biking over driving to a destination, you will be pleased to know a good deal of Everett neighborhoods are quite walkable. Plus, bike lanes are copious in addition to the surprisingly efficient public transportation system.

The most common primary motivating factor driving one’s decision to move domiciles has to do with money. Job opportunities, such as a raise in pay or a new job altogether, tend to be what people are willing to move for. Everett’s situation is no different. However, not everyone can find employment, regardless of willingness to participate in the labor market. Decent-paying jobs are seemingly especially scarce. Those able to land work are not always able to keep their positions – especially with layoffs happening regularly. Everett’s financial woes are ancillary to another widespread, complex issue. Experts are saying the city is going through a “mental health crisis.” Let’s go over what that means, why Everett’s problem is so bad, and what you can do to get in contact with a therapist who can help if you are in need.

Unfortunately, mental health is a big problem for more than just one city’s population. Mental illness is all too common across the nation as a whole. A particularly alarming study from Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates that 26 percent of American adults experience mental illness at some point during their lives. Narrowing the scope of the statistics fails to yield more hopeful results. As per a 2017 study from Mental Health America, the state of Washington ranks amongst the top 55 percent of states regarding the prevalence of mental illness and lack of access to care. For clarification’s sake, the term mental illness refers to any psychiatric/behavioral disorder one can be diagnosed with. For example, schizophrenia or clinical depression. Substance abuse also falls under mental illness. So, what is causing Everett’s situation to be so poor, in particular?

First of all, the city of Everett has a major crime problem. The statistics speak for themselves. As per the FBI, the overall crime rate in the city is almost 100 percent higher than the national average, giving you a one in 18 chance of falling victim to any crime. Violent crimes and property crimes are what people are disproportionately committing in the area. Unfortunately, there is a strong link between areas with high crime and high rates of mental illness. Everett is not an exception in that regard. While the city is aware of the need to tackle crime, results are not going to come to fruition overnight. Crime is only down nine percent over the years. In the meantime, there is no doubt Everett’s high crime rate is negatively affecting the community’s mental health.

Another alarming statistic is Everett’s divorce rate – it’s 15 percent higher than the rest of the nation according to the Washington Department of Health. It is no secret that divorce often has profound impacts on people’s mental health. Those involved in the relationship, including children, are subject to becoming more likely to suffer from a bevy of illnesses. If you feel your relationship is in danger of dissolution, we recommend immediately reaching out for help. Counseling is a necessary step before making a permanent decision.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Everett, Washington

A harsh reality many people are dealing with across the United States is the troublesome nature of contacting a licensed therapist. To the surprise of some, not a whole lot of Americans even get treatment for mental health conditions. An especially revealing report recently published by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests a clear majority (57 percent) of Americans who are mentally ill receive no form of treatment during a given year. Researchers partly blame the nationwide shortage of mental health professionals as being part of the problem.

In the case of Everett, people are pointing fingers at ineffective legislation, poverty and unemployment, and stigma surrounding mental illness as being the chief barriers to access to care. An Everett resident is almost twice as likely to be living without any health insurance than the typical American. Undoubtedly, a good chunk of these people who lack insurance are also low-income earners. For them, the out-of-pocket cost of therapy exceeds what they can spend – thus, ruling it out as an option.

Mental Health Resources in Everett, Washington

Thanks to attention from both state and local officials, the initiative to fight mental illness in Everett has never seen this much funding. And, it’s only going up. Organizations across the state that focus on treating mental illness are opening up frequently. Everett residents are fortunate in the variety at their disposal when looking for an institution to assist with mental health. For example, Compass Health is a provider of mental health services aimed at helping those in the community. Sea Mar Everett Behavioral Health is a popular mental health clinic in the area with similar offerings.