Chesapeake, Virginia Therapists

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Chesapeake, Virginia

Chesapeake is a thriving Virginia city formed in 1963 after the City of South Norfolk and Norfolk County merged. The city, which is the third largest in the state, boasts multiple different geographic terrains. Visitors and residents can choose between busy city areas, rural locations, and suburban neighborhoods.

The city has prospered since its foundation. Its estimated 2018 population is is 242,336. It’s believed that over the next 11 years the city’s population will surge to 285,153.

Chesapeake Demographics

The city is wealthy and racially diverse. In 2017, the median income was $72,328. That same year, the city held 107, 985 employees. Workers have access to a variety of different professions.

About 60% of the population identifies as white-only while 30% identify as black. The median age is 36.3 years old. The city is aging. The median age has been rising for the past few years.

There’s a sizable foreign-born population. They tend to be slightly older, with the median age being 42.6.

Over 90% of the population aged 25 or older have a high school diploma or higher. 30% of that group holds a bachelor’s degree.

Poverty in Chesapeake

The city’s median income is higher than the national average. Yet poverty is still a problem. In 2013, more than a third of Chesapeake’s public school students qualified for the National School Lunch Program, a federally operated free or reduced cost lunch program for low-income students.

Children who participate in the program are more likely to struggle in school and have trouble obtaining their degree. Their families are more likely to be part of the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

The mental stress of poverty is evident even in youth. Administrators found that some students would rather starve than admit that they’re eligible for the lunch program. To make the situation easier, Chesapeake schools responded by making the process more discreet. Families can apply online instead of bringing paperwork into school and students “pay” for their meals with a special debit card.

The school district also started bringing breakfast into certain schools. Studies show that students who eat breakfast perform better.

Chesapeake’s large number of wealthy residents skews the average income. The city seems wealthier than it perhaps really it is.  There is a lot of disparity between how Chesapeake’s richest and poorest residents live.

Chesapeake, Virginia Mental Health Problems

The city’s relative wealth doesn’t protect it from mental health problems. Poverty is closely linked with mental health struggles. According to estimates, in 2016 about 11% of Chesapeake’s population lived below the poverty level.

Chesapeake’s advantages are reflected in its divorce rate. Virginia has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country. Divorce can often be a symptom of mental health troubles. A happy relationship has been shown to inoculate you against a variety of problems. Chesapeake’s divorce rate has been steadily declining for the past two decades.

The city has a suicide rate of 12.5 people per 100,000. This is slightly better than the national rate of 13.4. However, it is still worryingly high. The number is growing larger rather than shrinking.

Many factors influence an area’s suicide rate. One possible factor is the prevalence of mental health resources in the area. Chesapeake has 78 mental health care professionals for every 100,000 residents.

Chesapeake Mental Health Support

Chesapeake residents have access to many therapists and psychiatrists. If someone is in a dire situation, they can contact Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, a state-funded service board that’s equipped to deal with same-day appointments. Someone can walk into one of their health centers without an appointment.

This could make a big difference in someone’s life. It’s not unusual for patients to waits weeks or even months before they can get an appointment with a therapist.

Use Our Therapist Directory

Chesapeake has a variety of professional therapists that you can work with. In fact, there are so many providers in the city that it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Sorting through so many people is challenging. Our therapist directory can help you organize providers based on data that we’ve collected. This increases the chances that you’ll choose someone who you’ll feel comfortable with and that you’ll be happy with the care you receive.