Cupertino, California Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Cupertino, California

California is one of those states that seems to be made up of affluent, picturesque towns and cities. Cupertino is one such town. A modest-sized city of 60,077 individuals, Cupertino has a lot going on. For starters, it’s the headquarters for Apple, which explains the wealth. Over 100 other tech, software, and telecommunications companies have planted their roots in the heart of Silicon Valley as well, but tech isn’t all that Cupertino has to offer. Other high-profile tenants include Ducati Motorcycles, Whole Foods, and Strike Bowling. On the outskirts of the city is the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, which has a working farm and trails on which individuals can ride horseback, and The McClellan Ranch Preserve, which is a former horse ranch turned nature museum.

At a glance, Cupertino looks like the ideal city untouched by harm. Unfortunately, however, no place is perfect. Within the boundaries reside hundreds of individuals who live with mental illness and try to combat its symptoms daily. Those individuals deserve help, but before they can get it, they need to understand the cause.

The Makeup of Cupertino

Silicon Valley is known for its technology and its wealth, and Cupertino doesn’t disappoint. The median household income in the area is $147, 929. That is nearly three times the nation’s median household income of $55,322, and significantly higher than the state’s median of $63,783. The average male in Cupertino earns $184,924, while a female in a similar role and with similar education, training, and experience earns $109,785. The poverty rate is 4.46 percent.

The median property value in Cupertino is $1.21 million. That’s nearly three times greater than the state median of $409,300 and significantly greater than the national median of $184,700. Yet, 63 percent of Cupertino residents own their own homes.

The two biggest industries in Cupertino are Professional, Scientific, and Tech and Manufacturing. The most common occupations held by residents are computer and mathematical, management and architecture, and engineering. Nearly all residents of the area hold high-stress jobs.

The cost of living index in Cupertino is nearly two and a half times the national index, at 248. Groceries earned an index of 126, goods and services an index of 122 and healthcare an index of 123. The housing index, however, is outrageous, at 542.

66.3 percent of residents are Asian. Whites make up the next biggest share of residents, with a 26.1 percent share. Hispanics make up 4.5 percent of the population. Asians also happen to be the largest ethnic group living below the poverty line in Cupertino.

Factors That May Contribute to Mental Illness

At first glance, one might assume that residents who have so many resources at their disposal would not live with emotional disorders. However, it may be residents’ wealth that perpetuates mental instability, among other factors.

• Wealth: Several reports show the connection between poverty and poor mental health, but not many show the connection between wealth and poor mental health. However, it’s there. A Berkeley study shows that an inflated sense of power, which is often found among wealthy individuals, is associated with narcissistic personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and weak familial and social relationships. Many wealthy individuals also have a lot of pride, which may prevent them from pursuing the mental health care they need.
• Cost of Living: The cost of living in Cupertino is outstanding, and though residents appear to have the funds to support it, many may still feel the pain of it. Californians cite the cost of everyday expenses as their biggest financial stressors. Where the cost of living index is 248, it is not unbelievable that even those who bring home $100K a year might be stressed about grocery shopping.
• “The Model Minority”: There is a myth that Asians are the model minority. This myth is extremely harmful to the ethnic group. Asians are under constant from friends, family, teachers, and community members to excel in all that they do. They are also discouraged from talking about their issues. This combination often leads to breakdowns of bright individuals who simply cannot stand the pressure of “being perfect.”