Therapists in Kirkland, WA and Nearby Locations

An Overview of Mental Health in Kirkland, Washington

The residents of Kirkland, Washington, enjoy the notoriety of living in the sixth-largest city in King County. With Seattle and all its sights, such as Pike’s Place Market and Puget Sound less than 20 minutes away, it is little wonder that Kirkland’s population of 87,672 has grown nearly 2% over the last several years.

Kirkland also enjoys a booming economy, with technological, manufacturing, and healthcare industries providing jobs to the area’s residents. The average median household income is $95,939, which is nearly $35,000 over the national average of $61,372. The city also features a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.8% when compared to the rest of the country’s 5.2%, according to BestPlaces.net. However, despite the thriving economy, mental health issues in Kirkland and King County seem to be on the rise, and several factors may be contributing to this troubling trend.

Mental Health Statistics for Kirkland

Mental illness in Washington is marked by a high rate of suicide, according to the Seattle Times. That same report noted that instances of suicide rose 17.1% between 2014 and 2016 and that suicides for every county in the state, including King County, have increased. Some factors that may be causing this phenomenon include:

• A large population of Vietnam veterans in Kirkland who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Inconsistent or absent mental health care for those suffering in silence;
• Low-income families that do not have access to mental health treatment;
• Divorced individuals struggling with housing or child custody matters.

The rise in suicides and other mental health problems in King County may also be the result of Washington’s struggle to treat them effectively. The state ranks 48^th out of all 50 in the nation when it comes to mental health care, which points to obvious gaps in the system and problems with people getting the help they need.

The Challenges of Finding a Therapist in Kirkland

With a major city less than a 20-minute drive away, Kirkland’s residents have an array of choices when it comes to mental health care. However, reaching help may not be simple for everyone. 6.75% of the city’s population lives in poverty and those who do likely do not own a vehicle or have consistent access to any other type of transportation. 5.4% are without health insurance, and health coverage offered through residents’ employers might not cover mental health services. The elderly, who have a high rate of suicide in King County, often have disabilities and other circumstances that limit their ability to find help for their mental illnesses.

The life expectancy in Kirkland is just over 80 years of age. However, in 2016, 10.5% of people reported that they experienced almost 15 poor mental health days per month and over 20% felt they were often in crisis. If nothing is done to reduce these numbers, the citywide suicide rate may climb again in the coming years.

Who Is at Risk?

While mental health issues can affect everyone, several groups in Kirkland are particularly at risk. Children and adolescents are vulnerable and some triggers for potential problems include:

• Parental divorce: 9.7% of all marriages in Washington State end in divorce and may hurt a child’s self-esteem and mental health;
• Poverty: Nearly 20% of King County’s children live in low-income homes and whose parents likely have little access to proper health care;
• A Lack of Support: Almost 25% of children in King County do not have parental support and struggle to navigate daily life alone, which can lead to the development of anxiety and depression.

Those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder may feel increased symptoms of depression during the winter, when Seattle residents and those in the surrounding areas may not see the sun for many days in a row. Those who feel especially affected by SAD may try to handle their symptoms alone instead of seeking therapy to talk about their feelings, which may only lead to cyclic depression, apathy, and sleep disorders.