An Overview of Mental Health in Hesperia, California
The city of Hesperia, California, was settled in the late 19th century and is located in San Bernardino County, just over 30 miles from the city of the same name. This city is home to 93,714 people according to 2016 data and has grown rapidly since the 1980s. However, certain types of violent crimes, such as rape and assault, have risen along with it. These issues, along with divorce and poverty, can create a variety of mental health problems among the populace and those in need of help either may not realize they require treatment or do not know where to find it.
Mental Disorder Causes in Hesperia
Despite Hesperia’s growth, there are many residents who suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, suicidal tendencies and eating disorders. These issues can develop in both men and women starting from their early teens and beyond. There are several conditions in the city that may be contributing to these disorders and include:
- Poverty Among Minorities: Blacks and Hispanics living in Hesperia are much more likely to live below the nation’s poverty line of 12.3 percent, with blacks at the highest number of nearly 40 percent.
- Unemployment: The rate of unemployment in Hesperia is 7.5 percent, which is higher than both the state and national averages of 5.5 and 4.7 percent.
- Large Veteran Population: A large percentage of veterans who served in the Vietnam and the first Gulf War reside in Hesperia, and these individuals may have issues such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, especially if they saw combat.
Statistics also show that the youth of Hesperia might be affected by mental health problems as well, with a youth suicide rate of 7.4 percent in San Bernardino County. Depression, family problems and other mental disorders have affected young people from the ages 15-24 and resulted in suicidal actions.
Insurance Gaps Cause a Lack of Mental Health Treatment
Although the overall number of uninsured residents in San Bernardino has dropped over the past few years, there are still some significant gaps in coverage. For example, 25 percent of Latinos in the county are uninsured, while young adults across the board were the largest age group to be without coverage. Some mental health services require pre-authorization from a general practitioner, and without insurance, it is unlikely that people in need will have access to such services.
The aforementioned poverty rates in Hesperia are also likely preventing individuals from getting the mental health care they need. In fact, most uninsured Californians say the cost of medical insurance is what prevents them from having the right kind of coverage. These gaps can cause mental health problems to increase because treatment is not available to everyone in the area.
Finding Mental Health Services in Hesperia
The ratio of patients to health care professionals in Hesperia and the surrounding area is 181 to every 100,000 people. However, since the entire population of San Bernardino County numbered well over two million in 2017, these numbers are quite disproportionate. Despite this, there are several places in Hesperia those who are struggling with mental illness can contact, including:
- Behavioral Health Centers of America: This treatment center focuses on handling a variety of mental health issues including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, self-harm and several different eating disorders. It serves the Hesperia area and treats patients of all ages. Both English and Spanish-speaking patients are accommodated.
- The Recovery Village: this treatment center specializes in recovery from both alcohol and drug addiction. They also treat underlying mental health problems that may have triggered such issues.
