An Overview of Mental Health In Bolingbrook, Illinois
Across the US, there is a shortage of mental health professionals and a high rate of mental illness. This is contributing to a mental health crisis. Mental health is often overlooked in favor of screenings and prevention of physical health issues. The reality is that mental illness can be just as serious as many of the most common physical illnesses, sometimes resulting in disability and even death. Suicide rates have been rising in the United States. The current rate is approximately 14 per 100,000 people, making suicide the tenth leading cause of death in the nation overall. This health crisis is affecting hundreds of cities around the country. Bolingbrook, Illinois, is one of them.
The town of Bolingbrook is a suburb of Chicago, and is located partly in DuPage County and partly in Will County. In 2017, its population was just over 75,000. Its economy specializes in the industries of finance & insurance, transportation & warehousing as well as wholesale trade. It has a poverty rate of 7.7 percent, and an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent.
Mental Health In Illinois
It often helps to compare a city’s statistics to those of the state as a whole. Illinois ranks relatively well on Mental Health America’s list of states in terms of having good mental health and access to treating it. Illinois achieved an overall rank of 11, with more specific ratings of 6 in adult mental health and 15 in youth mental health. In prevalence of illnesses it ranks at number 10, and in access at number 18.
While still not a terrible rating overall, it looks like Illinois could stand to make some improvement in terms of easier access to mental health care. There are many factors that can affect this, such as lack of insurance, inability to pay for care and even stigma still surrounding the issue.
Risk Factors in Bolingbrook
In Bolingbrook and the surrounding area, the poor access to mental health care often link to poverty. While Bolingbrook’s poverty rate isn’t particularly high, it doesn’t mean that those affected suffer any less than those who live in an area with a higher poverty rate. With a median income of nearly $85,000 and per capita income of only about $31,000, there appears to be a wide income disparity in the city.
Amita Health released information regarding health stats and needs across its service area, primarily located within Will and DuPage counties. It stated that just over 38 percent of low-income patients reported poor to fair mental health in 2015, while almost 59 percent of low-income patients reported chronic symptoms of depression.
Unfortunately, poverty and mental illness can create a tough cycle. Often, mental illness can be debilitating enough to prevent the sufferer from working, while unemployment and other poverty issues can be stressful enough to bring on a mental illness.
On the other hand, the suicide rate in DuPage County is quite a bit lower than the rest of the state, at 9 and 9.3 per 100,000, respectively. As previously stated, the national average is about 14.
Resources in Bolingbrook
It is common to feel alone when you are dealing with a mental illness, but there are many other people dealing with the same issues. Always remember that there are people who understand and can help. There are many resources available in Bolingbrook, but if you are conducting research on your own, the search can be overwhelming. There are many great resources available
- Olimene Counseling Services is a facility located within Bolingbrook which offers various types of counseling, such as individual, couples and family, as well as psychotherapy.
- The CSC offers a range of services to help patients with a mental illness, such as individual and family counseling, and financial counseling. This facility is also located in Bolingbrook.
- Howard Counseling Services of Bolingbrook is another counseling facility with multiple types of services. Much of its counseling is focused on helping children and teens specifically.
- The SASS program from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is available to help fund youth mental health care, and provides other resources.
E-Counseling is another great resource. It is an online directory you can use to search for mental health professionals in the area who meet your needs and can help you meet your goals. Reach out today.
