Billings, Montana Therapists

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Billings, Montana

Billings is the largest city in Montana. In fact, it’s the only city in Montana with over 100,000 people. It is a city on the move. They are growing in population, economy and business. In just the last ten years, the heart of the city has seen a growth of close to 60% which is tremendous.

The median household income in Billings is just $53,000 but this number is increasing.  and the average property value is high for such a rural area at almost $200,000. The city managed to escape the economic recession that hit the country so hard in 2008, mostly because of newly discovered oil resources in Montana.

The city was originally named the “Magic City” because of its rapid growth in the 19^th century. Billings is home to most of the hotel industry not just in Montana, but in the entire region. They are part of Yellowstone County and have a big part in the national park’s tourist attractions.

Mental Health Statistics for Billings

There is a mental health crisis in Billings, Montana. The number of people suffering from mental health issues has increased dramatically over the last ten years. This seems to directly correspond to the city’s rapid growth. A lot of families who lived in the area prior to the boom simply can’t adapt in the newly growing environment.

Montana had always been known as a quiet part of the country. It had its tourist attractions, but it was not what we would call a major city. With the economic and industrial growth comes a lot of stress for the residents of Billings.

The biggest problem is that Billings is more than 4 hours away from the closest mental health hospital. And, even if someone could make their way to the facility, it is overflowing and is rarely able to accept new patients. This means that most people suffering from mental health issues go to the emergency room where they are not likely to get the long-term treatment they need.

Impact of Not Receiving Treatment in Billings, Montana

There appears to be an abundance of mental health professionals available in Billings. There are almost 275 mental health providers for every 100,000 people in the city. The problem is, these are private doctors and a lot of people are not educated on how to go about getting treatment.

A lack of mental health resources can lead to:

• Suicide
• Divorce
• Criminal activity
• Homelessness
• Unemployment
• Worsened mental health issues
• Substance abuse

If people had private, online access to mental health information, they would not end up in the emergency room for a mental health illness. People need to be able to get treatment locally an they need help getting access to mental health resources.

What Makes Billings Unique When It Comes to Mental Health?

Billings is in Montana, one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It’s in the Yellowstone Valley where people can view 7 different mountain ranges. Beauty, however, doesn’t always defeat issues like depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

• Climate: Billings has hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters. The extreme temperatures can have an impact on mood and general mental health.
• Economic: The median household income is $53,000 and the poverty level is high at over 11%.
• Culture: Billings is a tourist town. It is the biggest tourist city in the region being situated in Yellowstone Valley. The city is not diverse at all with almost 90% of its residents being white. People who are part of a minority culture may find it frustrating to living in such a homogenous town.

Divorce Rate in Billings

The divorce rate in Billings is higher than you would expect for a remote area like Montana. It is 14.8% which is one of the highest in the country. Because it is a tourist area, there aren’t a ton of new families moving to the area. Almost 50% of the people in Billings are still married but almost 20% are single parents.

Mental Health Resources in Billings

There are plenty of mental health professionals in Billings. There are over 300 mental health professionals in the city. However, because most providers are private psychiatrists, people don’t have access to treatment. They rely on the emergency room and clinic situated over four hours away.