Champaign, Illinois Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Champaign, Illinois

Champaign, Illinois is a city located in the larger Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area. It is the tenth most populated city in the state. Champaign is centrally located between Chicago, Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 87,432 people called Champaign home in 2017.

This city is notable for being the home of several acclaimed colleges, including the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and Parkland College. It is also known for being the hub of the Silicon Prairie, due to a large number of technology companies taking root in the city. Champaign is home to various offices for technology and Fortune 500 companies, including Sony, Abbott, Caterpillar, State Farm, and IBM.

Meanwhile, Champaign experiences some challenges when it comes to mental health care. Due to various behavioral and socioeconomic factors, there is widespread mental illness in the area. It is helpful to understand the potential causes of mental illness in Champaign and the resources available to residents.

Behavioral health concerns are prevalent across Champaign County. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the suicide rate was 12.9 per 100,000 in 2016. This is higher than the statewide rate of 10.8. Additionally, mental health is the top health concern for respondents, with substance abuse coming in second.

Contributing Factors and Barriers

According to the Community Health Improvement Plan, here are the top reasons for mental illness in Champaign County and the obstacles to obtaining treatment:

• Stigmatization
• Insufficient education
• Inadequate social support
• Substance abuse
• Lack of health insurance
• Low self-esteem
• Poor access to screening and counseling programs
• Lack of funding

All of these risk factors and hindrances contribute to Champaign’s mental health problems. Let’s look at a few of them in-depth.

Health Insurance in Champaign, Illinois

The U.S. Census Bureau states that 6.9 percent of adults in Champaign under 65 years old do not have health insurance. This is in comparison to 6 percent of uninsured adults nationwide. Without health coverage, it is difficult for individuals to receive the treatment they need.

Substance Abuse in Champaign, Illinois

Here are some eye-opening facts about alcohol and drug use in Champaign County:

• Twenty-one percent of survey respondents report drinking more than 4 alcoholic beverages daily consistently for at least one day per week.
• Nearly 18 percent of survey respondents report smoking cigarettes, using e-cigarettes, or chewing tobacco.
• There were 108 drug-related deaths between 2011 and 2015.
• Opiates, such as heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, and fentanyl accounted for nearly 47 percent of drug-related deaths.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, chronic use of drugs often coincides with mental health issues.

Poverty Rate in Champaign, Illinois

Champaign has a dismal poverty rate. Nearly 27 percent of persons in Champaign live in poverty, compared to 19.2 percent nationwide. Champaign County actually has the third-highest rate of poverty in the state. Without enough income, many people cannot access mental health services.

Divorce Rate in Champaign, Illinois

Failing marriages are a significant factor in mental health concerns. Divorce causes heartbreak, betrayal, conflict, and uncertainty. This can play a role in a variety of mental illnesses. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 532 divorces in Champaign County in 2013. Illinois ranks 18th out of 50 states in terms of divorces.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Champaign, Illinois

Locating and affording a mental health professional is difficult for many people nationwide, including Champaign residents. A majority of American adults do not get the mental health services they need. Over half of survey respondents in Champaign County said there was inadequate or very inadequate mental health treatment available.

Mental Health Resources in Champaign, Illinois

Thankfully, there are some uplifting facts regarding mental health treatment in Champaign. The mental health care provider rate in Champaign County is 214:8, compared to 180:2 in Illinois and 202:8 nationwide. Additionally, there is a robust plan for improving mental health resources by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

No one should struggle with mental illness without assistance. That’s why E-Counseling has a directory of therapists in Champaign, Illinois. This resource is designed to connect Champaign residents with qualified mental health providers in a quick and easy manner.