Dayton, Ohio Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Dayton, Ohio

The greater Dayton Ohio area is home to some 500,000 people, and like many places across the United States, mental health is a hot topic. With such a large demographic, it’s no wonder that Dayton residents feel the effects of anxiety and depression elsewhere, but perhaps also because of a largely service-based economy.

Known as one the family-friendliest places in the country to visit and live, Dayton boasts a plethora of service-based industries including healthcare, aerospace, government, and legal sectors. Rich in history dating back to the late 1700s and founded on April 1st, 1796 Dayton is the birthplace of speeding tickets, the Wright Brothers, and soapbox derbies. The city is also home to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Mental Health Statistics for Dayton

Positive self-esteem, feelings of self-worth, confidence, and an overall feeling of well-being are key indicators of good mental health. Sadly, Dayton area residents and community stakeholders consider the overall mental health of the community to be inadequate and inaccessible. Montgomery County residents describe individuals with mental illness as a hidden and vulnerable part of the population, mostly due to stigma, access, cost, and time.

According to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, (HPIO), 29 percent of the county’s population is not being served, and 20 percent of the population could not see a professional because of the expense. These numbers are higher than the national average of 16.9 percent and 14.4 percent for all of Ohio.

The most common reasons residents seek help from a mental health professional in Montgomery County are ADHD, Opioid Dependence, Mood Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder.

What Makes Dayton Different About Mental Health?

Various factors are thought to create the overall mental health in Dayton, OH. A distinct absence of high-paying jobs is considered to be one of them. Compared to the rest of Ohio, Dayton has a significantly lower median income, by almost as much as 50 percent. Poverty has become an issue in the area with nearly 35 percent of its residents living in poverty.

• Financial insecurity is a known cause of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders.
• The median household income of Dayton is just $26,000 a year. The national average is $59,000.
• 5 percent of the population lives in poverty.
• A survey noted access, specifically the cost, as one of the primary reasons residents don’t seek help.
• Suicides in Dayton for ages 8 to 17 – 80; ages 18 to 25 – 225 (2017)

Divorce Rate in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton ranks #16 in the nation for number of divorces annually. 15.7 percent of the population gets divorced each year. Though this number is significantly lower than the national average of a whopping 50 percent, it seems Dayton can be a tough place to keep a marriage together. Poverty and lack of career opportunities are suspected of causing many divorces as, nationwide, financial distress is known as the number one cause of failed marriages.

The good news is, there are plenty of marriage counselors available for the 29 percent of the population that is married. It seems that the word is out on the streets that marriages in Dayton don’t last as nearly 50 percent of the population has never been married. Those seeking to get hitched may consider visiting with a trained professional before tying the knot to avoid getting divorced later.

Mental Health Resources in Dayton, OH

There are hundreds of mental health professionals in Montgomery County serving residents of Dayton. Although Ohio in general presents a high rate of mental health issues, there is a distinct lack of resources available to those living in poverty or who don’t have sufficient medical health insurance coverage.