Fullerton, California Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health Resources in Fullerton California

Fullerton is nestled in Orange County California with a population just over 140,000. As a suburb of the greater Los Angeles area it has what any big city suburb has – people who want or need mental health professional help and guidance. However, like much of California, the prevalence of mental health issues is outpacing the mental health services available. This imbalance in the system is thought to be caused by a rapid surge of growth – there are over 7 million more people in the Los Angeles area since 1995.

The area is known for its diversity, not only in ethnic backgrounds but also in what there is to do in the area. To the north is Anaheim, home of Disneyland and many other theme parks are found nearby. The city is also home to California State University’s largest campus with more than 40,000 students, nearly 35,000 of which are undergraduates.

Mental Health Statistics for Fullerton

Having your basic needs met, along with general sense of well being are hallmarks of having good mental health. However, Fullerton like many communities in Southern California are experiencing an uptick in homelessness, many of whom (as many as 1 in 6) suffer from some form of mental illness. Out of that population, up to 1 in 20 suffer from a major mental illness. Unfortunately, California is home to 22 percent of the homeless population in the United States.

Because Fullerton is located in Orange County, mental health services don’t always get the funding they need to address the needs of the residents. While Los Angeles County offers over 2,000 acute care beds, the OC only has the resources for 480. On a brighter note, Fullerton exceeds the California benchmark ratio of 1,034 residents per mental health professional with a ratio of 700:1.

Fullerton’s Mental Health Challenges

Fullerton’s residents are susceptible to many of the same mental health issues most cities in the United States face. Factors range from a higher than average (nationally) crime rate, widespread drug issues, poverty, traffic and environmental concerns.

• Financial instability and related stressors are proven increase the susceptibility to depression, anxiety and substance use disorders.
• 34 percent of Fullerton residents are listed as being financially unstable.
• Cost of living in the area is significantly higher than the national average.
• Traffic and commute-related stress has been shown to affect overall mental health and Fullerton residents commute 30 minutes or more per day on average.
• Air pollution is problem in Orange County and studies show a direct link between air quality and mental well-being.

Divorce Rate in Fullerton California

Fullerton is part of one of the highest divorce rates in the nation with as many as 33 people filing for divorce daily in Orange County. This outrageous number is the result of many factors, including financial stresses and communication issues, young age of marriage, substance use disorders and poor mental health.

According to a 2018 report, 38.4 percent of Fullerton residents are married. That the area is has a median age of 35 seems to have little effect on low marriage and high divorce rates. California’s tough alimony and child support laws may entice some couples to seek solutions for their marriage woes. There are roughly 50 marriage counselors in Fullerton to help couples find happiness in their relationship.

Mental Health Resources in Fullerton

There are approximately 200 licensed therapists  and mental health counselors in and around Fullerton California. That’s more than one professional per 700 people. Although California is considered to have a shortage of licensed mental health professionals, the number of professionals available in Fullerton is roughly double the national level.

Challenges of Finding a Therapist in Fullerton

With thousands of mental health professionals found on the Internet serving the greater Los Angeles area, it can be challenging to decide which one will be a good fit. There are numerous review sites such as Yelp and YP (Yellow Pages) that rank these professionals based on feedback from patients and it can be hard to know if the “10 Best” or “Top 30” are counselors you want to share your innermost thoughts and feelings with.

Fullerton and surrounding communities in general have no shortage of health providers and insurance professionals more than willing to offer a referral, which is great if you don’t mind paperwork and trusting the the referrer. Using the referral network means you’ll have plenty of paperwork to fill out with a lengthy response time, all before you get to meet the professional and see if you can feel comfortable opening up to them.