Therapists in Nashville-Davidson, TN and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Resources in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee is the state capital and a great vacation destination in the United States. People love to visit Music City and check out the Grand Ole Opry and Johnny Cash Museum. It’s a younger city, with the median age being just 34 years old.

The median household income in Nashville is slightly higher than the rest of the state, at $54,000 per year. The city is on the rise as the per capita income has increased from just $22,000 in 2000 to almost $32,000 in 2015.

Despite the high proportion of people in Tennessee suffering from mental illness, many go untreated. There simply aren’t the resources needed to treat all the people in the area who have a mental illness. This is why it’s so important that the people of Nashville have a one-stop place to find and secure mental health care.

Mental Health Statistics for Nashville

Of Tennessee’s 6.5 million people. it is estimated that 4.5% have a serious mental illness. This includes schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorders. Tennessee has put forth an initiative to help provide mental health services to those who need it. What they have found through this Mental Health Cooperative is that when people do seek treatment, their conditions improve.

One concern for Tennessee is treating young people with both mental health issues and substance abuse issues. Studies have shown that people with untreated depression die an average of 25 years earlier than those without a mental illness. They also show that over 90% of people who commit suicide are suffering from a mental illness.

Impact of Not Receiving Treatment in Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee realized over the last decade that they had an issue with treating people with mental illness. Although Medicaid is available, many people simply don’t have the information needed to seek treatment. Furthermore, there weren’t enough mental health professionals to help all of the people with mental health issues.

This is why they put forth the Mental Health Cooperative. They hope to reach people, especially young people, early enough to treat serious mental issues before they progress. If left untreated, mental illness can lead to the following:

• Suicide
• Divorce
• Child abuse
• Unemployment
• Homelessness

Given the efforts made by the state of Tennessee, there is hope that the residents of Nashville will see an improvement when it comes to finding mental health resources.

What Makes Nashville Unique When it Comes to Mental Health?

Like a lot of larger cities, Nashville has its share of problems. Although they have better resources than many other states plagued with mental illness, over 60% of people suffering from a serious mental health illness still don’t get treatment. Some of the reasons Nashville has issues regarding mental health include:

• Culture: The culture of Nashville can lead to an increase in substance abuse. The lifestyle, especially in the heart of Nashville, is infused with clubs and bars thanks to the rich music culture.
• Education: Nashville has one of the worst school systems in Tennessee. This leads to a long-term problem with employment, income levels, and professional success.
• Unemployment Rate: Nashville’s unemployment rate is 2.4%, a bit higher than other U.S. cities.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Nashville has 50% minorities, a class that historically suffers from mental illness at a higher rate than other groups. Also, because of the lack of information and resources, this group just doesn’t have access to the mental health care they need.

Divorce Rate in Nashville

Tennessee, in general, has a high divorce rate. There are also more divorces in Nashville than in any other city in the South. There are counties in Tennessee where the divorce rate is higher than the marriage rate. In Trousdale County, the divorce rate is 90%.

A couple of the reasons for this are that the marriage rate in Nashville is higher than in most other places in the South. Also, a lot of young couples move to the city to follow their dreams only to get divorced a few years later.

Mental Health Resources in Nashville

Tennessee has improved its mental health resources over the last decade. Currently, the state can treat close to 30,000 people with mental health disorders every year. Treatment is offered at 168 locations.

As far as substance abuse is concerned, the state is making strides in this department as well. Almost 20,000 addicts received treatment in Tennessee last year, with over 300 recovery programs available.