Overview of Mental Health Resources in Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas is at the most southern tip of the state on the northern bank of the Rio Grande and directly across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas in Mexico. The population was 175,023 in the year 2010, according to the U.S. Census, and estimated at 189,592 for the year 2018. The median household income is $34,255. 94% of the city’s population is Hispanic. The urban area is one of the fastest growing hubs in the country. Their port became a key component for the economy in Southern Texas as it is mostly supported by international trade with Mexico through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The top employers are the Brownsville Independent School District and Cameron County. Brownsville is one of the least expensive cities to live in and it is one of the best pro-business communities in the country. It has a total area of 146.3 square miles (378.9 km2). The city has put in great efforts to create a greener and cleaner community. They began to charge fees to companies that still use plastic bags. This has generated ample amounts of funds to go towards their beautification program and inspired other cities to do the same. They were selected as one of twelve metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the cleanest air by Forbes. Brownsville provides an abundance of cultural experiences with museums, theater, arts, and architecture. Their two-day festival called Charro Days occurs every year in February and attracts over 50,000 visitors. It celebrates the strong, friendly relationship between Brownsville and Matamoros. The climate is humid subtropical, including a hot semi-arid climate inland and a tropical savanna climate on the coast.
City Concerns
The city has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. In 2016, the rate was 32.8%, as reported by the U.S. Census, while the entire state of Texas had the rate of 20.7%. Over 36% of residents do not have health insurance. Newton County has the highest rate of homicides of any county in the state. The crime amongst teenagers is speculated to stem from a lack of employment. This also contributes to the amount of runaway teens in the area. The state of Texas has the highest youth suicide rate in the country. Out of 25 Texan cities, Brownsville is rated 9th to last in regards to being a LGBT+ friendly city. Reports of bullying and cyberbullying result in this rating. Almost 30% of the residents are foreign-born, needing support in assimilation and emotional / mental health support. There are only 42 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents. To assist with the lack of mental health support, many clinics are providing both medical and mental health services to bridge the gap.
The state of Texas had a 4.2% divorce rate in 2016 according to the National Vital Statistic Report compared the U.S. rate of 6.9% in the same year.
There are approximately 19 therapists in Brownsville and 39 in Cameron County. There is an estimate of two treatment centers. Approximately six psychiatrists are in the Brownsville area.
Crisis Intervention
If you or a loved one is experiencing any form of suicidal thoughts, please contact the one of the crisis resources below. There is help waiting for you.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day, every day. It is confidential and available to anyone under distress.
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health has a 24 hour crisis hotline for anyone in need, including those experiencing a stressful time. Collect calls are accepted.
Texas Youth Hotline is a free intervention service to prevent teens from running away from home. They provide support 24 hours a day to the individuals and families affected by this distress.
How We Can Help
We offer the following resources to help you find the support that you need. Researching through lists of providers can get complicated and we would like to make it easier for you to move onto a positive change. Listing your symptoms, challenges, the timelines, and your goals that you would like to achieve through therapy would be a good first step in finding the right partner to assist in your recovery.
We commend you for taking this courageous step in caring for your mental and emotional health. We hope that our directory makes this step easier and that you find the best provider for your needs. We welcome you to find more assistance on choosing a therapist at https://www.e-counseling.com.
