Fayetteville, Arkansas Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Home to the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Razorbacks, Fayetteville, Arkansas is a beautiful college town that has much to offer for its 85,257 residents. Spectating sports games, exploring the surrounding Ozark Mountains, shopping at the stores on Dickson Street, and checking out the award winning farmers market any time of year are only a few of the recreational activities residents, students, and visitors alike can enjoy while in Fayetteville. Not to mention, the city has made several lists for being one of the best cities in the United States to live in.

Despite its great reputation, Fayetteville’s residents are struggling with some severe socioeconomic issues that are likely to negatively impact their mental health and well-being. The city has an incredibly low median household income of $41,158, approximately $20,000 less than the national average.  The per capita income for residents rests at $28,401, and 24 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. While these statistics predict a high prevalence of mental health issues, it is also likely individuals in Fayetteville aren’t getting the help they need since 10.8 percent of people under 65 are living without health insurance. As individuals in Fayetteville live with mental illnesses, it is essential they are aware of mental health resources near them.

Divorce Rates in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Arkansas as a state experiences some of the highest divorce rates in the country. Due to its high population of students, Fayetteville has a relatively low marriage rate at only 35.3 percent of people being married within the city. Alternatively, almost 50 percent of residents have never been married. The overall divorce rates for the city are at 10.5 percent. Although divorce is extremely common in the United States, mental illness can have a negative impact on your marriage and make divorce more likely. Couples in Fayetteville, Arkansas will likely benefit from seeing a marriage counselor, especially when mental health concerns are involved.

Mental Health Concerns for College Students in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Compared to the rest of the United States, Arkansas has an especially high prevalence of individuals living with a mental illness. The state ranks 47^th in this regard with an estimated 21.02 percent of adults having some sort of mental illness.

Due to a wide variety of factors, college students struggle with mental health issues. One study conducted by WHO revealed that 35 percent of college freshman worldwide report a mental health illness of some sort. Other concerning statistics reveal that 64 percent of young adults who dropped out of college did so because of a mental health issues.

Substance Abuse

College students are also more prone to substance abuse problems. In fact, full-time students are more likely to abuse substances like alcohol and drugs than people their age who aren’t attending college. The effects of this abuse can lead to long term issues like addiction, overdose, dropping out of college, homelessness, or suicide.

Suicide

One survey found that from the students that answered, 20 percent reported thoughts of suicide, 20 percent have inflicted self-harm, and 9 percent have attempted suicide. Not to mention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. There have been a high number of suicides committed by students from the University Arkansas. This includes a murder suicide case in 2000 where a graduate student killed a professor before shooting himself on campus and a chain of 20 suicides that occurred in Fayetteville within one week of February, several of which occurred on or near the campus.

Poverty

There are many stressors that contribute to students’ mental health issues including increased anxiety, stressful life events, and financial struggles. In fact, one of the reasons Fayetteville has such high poverty rates is due to the large number of college students living off-campus in the city. In fact, estimates from 2009 to 2011 show that there is a 7.8 percent decrease in the overall poverty rate if you don’t include these students.

Mental Health Resources in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Many people with mental health concerns throughout the country do not receive the treatment they need. Fortunately, there are resources available to youths, college students, and other adults who are struggling with a mental illness. Residents of Fayetteville, Arkansas can easily access E-Counseling’s directory of therapists to find a mental health professional in their area.