Therapists in Wichita Falls, TX and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Resources in Wichita Falls, Texas

For many, the beautiful city of Wichita Falls, Texas provides the apex of southern living. Amenities, such as grocery stores and restaurants, are not far and few between – in fact, around just about every street corner is a good place to catch some entertainment, grab a bite to eat, and more.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city is home to roughly 105,000 inhabitants. More notably, Wichita Falls’ population is increasing at a steady rate significantly higher than many surrounding cities. Given the many appealing characteristics of Wichita Falls, it is not surprising to see why many families are choosing to move there. The most common driving force behind one’s decision to move domiciles has to do with work. Job opportunities like raises in pay or new jobs altogether are also the typical factors motivating a family’s decision to go to Wichita Falls.

However, not everyone who is searching for a job can find one, despite a willingness to participate in the labor market. Chronic unemployment and poverty are problems the city is facing. Many people in the area are living paycheck to paycheck, below the federal poverty level. The economic issues plaguing the community of Wichita Falls are ancillary to a separate intricate problem relating to health. Experts are saying the city is going through a “mental health crisis.” Let’s go over what that means, why the situation is so bad in Wichita Falls, and what you can do to get in contact with a therapist who can help if you are in need.

Unfortunately, the overall state of mental health in America is deteriorating – as it is in every other part of the developed world. A particularly revealing study out of Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates a whopping 26% of adults living in the United States suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. Unfortunately, narrowing the scope of the statistics fails to yield better results. In a 2017 study commissioned by Mental Health America, the state of Texas ranks amongst the top 50% of states regarding the prevalence of mental illness and lack of access to care. In this context and for future reference, the term mental illness refers to any behavioral/psychiatric disorder one can be diagnosed with. For example, schizophrenia or clinical depression. So, why is the mental health status quo in Wichita Falls so poor?

First of all, the city of Wichita Falls has a significant crime problem that local officials are attempting to tackle. However, results are not going to come to fruition overnight. Over the years, crime has only gone down by roughly 1%. As per the most recent statistics from the FBI, the city of Wichita Falls sees an overall crime rate 41% higher than the national average. People living in the area routinely describe the illegal activity as rampant.

The link between crime and mental health is no secret. Research indicates areas with high rates of crime also see high rates of individuals who experience mental illness.

Another challenge Wichita Falls is facing relates to the area’s economy. As mentioned previously, it is not the strongest. More people are living in poverty relative to the rest of the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average income per capita in the city of Wichita Falls is approximately 23% lower than the national average. Moreover, the rate of chronically unemployed individuals is almost 40% higher in the city than in the rest of the country.

Unfortunately, the relationship between income and mental health is not insignificant. As per a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American adults living below the federal poverty level are more than two times as likely to suffer from a mental disorder compared to the typical American.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Wichita Falls, Texas

A harsh reality many people across the country are facing is the often-troublesome nature of reaching out for help via counseling. An especially alarming report from the National Institute of Mental Health estimates a majority (57%) of Americans who are mentally ill receive no treatment during a given year, despite any necessity to do so. Some experts are pointing fingers at the nationwide shortage of mental health professionals providing treatment to patients.

In the case of Wichita Falls, officials are blaming ineffective legislation, poverty, and stigma surrounding mental illness as being barriers to mental health care. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a resident of Wichita Falls is almost three times as likely to be living without any form of health insurance compared to the average American citizen. Undoubtedly, a good chunk of these people are low-income earners. For them, the out-of-pocket expense of counseling is not economically feasible.

Mental Health Resources in Wichita Falls, Texas

Thanks to attention from both state and federal entities, the number of organizations that specialize in treating mental illness has never been higher. More of these places are opening their doors across the country regularly. Rose Street Mental Health Care is a local mental health clinic servicing those in need living in Wichita Falls. The Helen Farabee Centers provide much of the same offerings to both youths and adults in the area.