An Overview of Mental Health in Edinburg, Texas
Edinburg, Texas is a city of 84,399 located in Hidalgo County North of the U.S./Mexican border. The median age of residents is substantially lower than the rest of Texas and the United States, at 27.9. So too is the median household income, which is $43,760. The poverty rate is high compared to that of the U.S. and the state, at 26.6 percent.
Edinburg’s population is mostly Hispanic 89.1 percent of residents are of Hispanic origin while just 7.42 percent of residents are white. The remaining residents are Asian. The majority of people living in poverty were Hispanics. According to the stats, 21,140 Hispanic residents were living in poverty in 2016. That is approximately one quarter of the city’s population.
When it comes to mental illness factors, Edinburg demonstrates several of them. Though the mental health statistics for Edinburg and Hidalgo County in general are up in the air, the city does present unique challenges which residents must overcome.
Factors That May Contribute to Mental Illness in Edinburg, Texas
Poverty, ethnic diversity and low income rates all suggest that more Edinburg residents live with mental illness than the state lets on. Below are just a few factors that may cause depression, anxiety, substance abuse or other issues in the city’s residents:
- Population Density: The population density in Edinburg, Texas, is 2,057, with is 2,022 percent greater than the state average, and 2,171 percent higher than the national average. Studies suggest that urbanization is associated with mental illness and can cause social isolation, discrimination, poverty, depression and other behavioral issues.
- Integration: According to one study, just 23 percent of Edinburg residents speak English and 74 percent speak Spanish. These numbers suggest that a very real language barrier exists between the city’s residents and the rest of Texas. Language barriers this large can result in trouble getting work, difficulties forming meaningful relationships and problems performing routine tasks.
- Poverty: The connection between poverty and mental illness has been proven time and again. With more than a quarter of residents living in poverty, it would not be a surprise to discover that many of Edinburg’s residents are living with depression, anxiety, stress and other money-related disorders.
- Children: While children are a blessing, it can be difficult to raise a family when one does not have the means to pay the bills and put food on the table. Yet, more than 50 percent of Edinburg residents have children under the age of 18. This can cause financial strain, stress and other hardships.
Mental Health Resources Are Not Easily Accessible in Texas
According to one study, Texas ranks as the seventh worst state in which to live with a mental illness. To come up with its results, researchers analyzed a number of factors, including but not limited to the following:
- Adults with any mental illness
- Adults living with thoughts of suicide
- Adults who abuse substances
- Youth with major depressive episodes
- Adults with mental illness who did not receive treatment
- Adults who are uninsured
- Adults who could not see a doctor due to cost
- Students with identified emotional disturbances
- Mental health workforce availability
Once the above factors were analyzed, in addition to several others, the study’s researchers gave Texas an overall ranking of 43. However, when ranking states by how easily accessible mental healthcare was, Texas ranked number 50, right behind Mississippi. D.C. was included in the study.
Find the Mental Health Care You Deserve
Living with a mental health disorder of any kind can be emotionally trying and life-changing. It can impact your ability to forge meaningful and healthy relationships, to live without relying on substances to make you happy and to find gainful employment. The cycle is vicious, as once one falls into substance abuse or poverty, the mental health issues become substantially worse. If you or a loved one is living with an emotional, behavioral or mental disorder in Edinburg, Texas, you may feel alone and at a loss as to what to do. However, know that you are not alone, and that with the right resources, you can find the compassionate and quality care you need and deserve.
E-Counseling offers a directory that features thousands of names of counselors throughout the United States. You can narrow your search to find a provider near you. If you want to get on the path to mental wellness today, search the directory to find the help you need to overcome your issues and move forward with your life.
