Lee Summit, Missouri Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Lee Summit, Missouri, is a city of just under 100,000 residents located in Jackson County. The city, which is the sixth largest in the state, is part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Families in this fast-growing community enjoy a low rate of crime, outstanding public schools, higher than average income ($94,224 median family income), and a lower than average cost of living. The weather is generally pleasant with 216 clear days per year on average. Money magazine named Lee’s Summit #41 on its list of the Best Places to Live 2018.

Lee’s Summit residents aged 12 years and older who need mental health services can find assistance through the Research Psychiatric Center, which partners with Lee’s Summit Medical Center in the provision of care. This is one of the only full-service inpatient facilities in the area. Day treatment and outpatient care are also available in the community. The staff of the Research Psychiatric Center includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

Mental Health Statistics for Lee’s Summit, Missouri

In 2017, a community health assessment was compiled for Jackson County through the local health department. The study used the definition of mental health given by the World Health Organization. Mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life…” The definition includes emotional, social, and psychological health. Several facts in the report provide a snapshot of the state of mental health in the area.

• Substance abuse and mental health concerns, along with obesity, made up the top three community health concerns cited by stakeholders.
• Residents reported having more days of “poor mental health” than “poor physical health.” 56 percent of survey respondents reported at least one such day in the past month.
• In 2015, Jackson County had a suicide rate of 12.66 for every 100,000 residents. It is one of the top 10 leading causes of death.
• Anxiety is the number one reason for emergency room visits related to mental health.
• Poverty can exacerbate mental health issues and make it more difficult to access treatment. Most of Jackson County’s households have an annual income below the average for the state.

Family Mental Health Issues

Many people don’t feel the need to seek help with their mental and/or emotional well-being until they encounter difficulties at home or with family. Some of the most common difficulties center around marital troubles and addiction. Challenging times like those call for professional assistance.

In Lee’s Summit in 2016, approximately 60 percent of the adult population was married. Twenty-five percent had never been married, 10 percent were divorced, and 5 percent reported losing a spouse to death. While the divorce rate is lower than the state average, that doesn’t mean marital strife doesn’t exist. The city has several counselors and therapists to assist those going through a divorce, the death of a partner, or a similar family issue. These professionals can be found in large healthcare complexes and private practice.

Addiction takes many forms. While most people think of substance abuse, such as alcoholism or illegal drug use, other issues such as pornography and gambling are serious and rapidly growing problems. Jackson County, like many parts of the country, has significant challenges around prescription drugs like opioids. The average age of people seeking addiction treatment is decreasing, with a growing population of teenagers in need of help. No matter who in the family is dealing with an addiction, it’s a stressor for the whole household.