Therapists in Fayetteville, NC and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Resources in Fayetteville, North Carolina

The large city of Fayetteville is in one of North Carolina’s most populous regions: Cumberland County. Fayetteville is perhaps best known for the relatively large military base of Fort Bragg in the northwest, which spans across three additional counties. As of 2017, an estimated 209,889 people were claiming to be residents of the city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number is steadily increasing as time goes on, at roughly 5% per year, much like other similarly situated cities. The primary motivation behind people’s decision to move to the popular North Carolina city is a job opportunity. However, that does not mean that if you are to move there without a job already in your scope you will receive one easily.

On the contrary, Fayetteville, as well as much of North Carolina, is going through some rough times, economically speaking. The inhabitants living there are enduring multiple crises, including high rates of crime, poor education, unemployment, and a high cost of living. All of those factors and more are actively contributing to a larger, more complex crisis that makes many Fayetteville residents suffer: a mental health emergency. Let’s go over, in detail, what Fayetteville, North Carolina is experiencing in terms of mental health, why it’s happening, and how to get in contact with an apt therapist who can bring relief via treatment, if you are in need.

As mentioned before, the problem of poor mental health is not relegated to the city of Fayetteville alone. Instead, the entire state of North Carolina is feeling its effects, as well as much of the nation. According to a study commissioned by Mental Health America, North Carolina is amongst the top 50% of states regarding the prevalence of mental illness. Mental illness, in this context, can refer to any disorder of the mind ranging from generalized anxiety disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder. In other words, things are not looking too good for those living in Fayetteville, statistically. So, why is there such a high rate of mental illness in the area?

To begin with, there is an undeniable statistical link between high-crime areas and areas with more people who suffer from mental illnesses. Unfortunately, the city of Fayetteville is notorious for its high rates of crime in the area. These crimes include theft, burglary, and vehicle theft. However, the rate of violent crime in the area is more than double that of the North Carolina average. The overall crime rate in Fayetteville is roughly 90% higher than that of the national average, according to numbers provided by the FBI.

As per a 2016 report, approximately one out of every five students in public schools in America suffer from a mental illness and receive little to no of the amenities they require from said school. Just as areas with rampant crime tend to have higher rates of mental illness, the poorer the education students receive on average, the more vulnerable they become to a mental illness diagnosis. Unfortunately, Fayetteville is no exception. The education pupils get is sub-par, according to the most recent test scores available to the public. The average test score of a Fayetteville student is 20% lower than the national average of 49%. Undoubtedly, the poorly constructed curriculum in the area is taking its toll on the student population, deteriorating the situation even further.

When looking at an area’s well-being, unemployment is a key indicator of mental health. Regrettably, much of Fayetteville is without a job. As per a 2017 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate of unemployed individuals in Fayetteville, North Carolina is roughly 40% higher than the national average; a troubling number, indeed. Couple the staggeringly high unemployment statistics with the fact that living in the city is unaffordable at the average level of income, and there are some serious negative ramifications in terms of mental health.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Fayetteville, North Carolina

The United States is going through what experts have dubbed a “mental health professional shortage.” This means there is an influx of those who need treatment because of issues with their mental health, but simply not enough trained people to provide it. Making matters worse, oftentimes when someone manages to find a treatment provider, they find they are unable to pay for it.

In Fayetteville, the number of persons who lack health insurance is almost double that of the national average, coming in at around 15%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A higher number of those without health insurance are mentally ill when compared to the rest of the nation.

Furthermore, another reason people don’t receive the treatment they need is because of refusal to seek it out. Some have a false stigma surrounding mental health ingrained in them. Because of fear of judgment from others, they decide to not look for help. It’s important to recognize the falsity of said stigma and the necessity for the treatment of mental health problems.

Mental Health Resources in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fortunately for those living in Fayetteville, there are several renowned facilities in the area catering to those in need of help with their mental health. These include places like Cape Fear Valley Health, an organization dedicated to providing a bevy of comprehensive services tailored to those suffering from mental illness. Community Connections Healthcare Services also services those in the Fayetteville area that are in need.