An Overview of Mental Health in Longview, Texas
Longview is a cozy little town of 81,522 in eastern Texas about 130 miles from Dallas. It has a suburban feel with adequate shopping and dining. Nearby Lake Cherokee provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing. The downtown area features a number of historic landmarks. Residents and visitors can learn more about local history at the Gregg County Historic Museum. As with nearly everywhere in Texas, sports are popular, especially with youth.
The town benefited from the discovery and development of the East Texas Oil Field. The local economy continues to be influenced by the state of the oil and gas industry.
Life in Longview can be challenging for some residents. In addition to regular stressors of daily life, these east Texans face some unique issues. This part of the state has been ranked as the least healthy in Texas in a recent survey.
- Poverty: 3% of Longview residents live below the poverty line. This population is likely to need mental health services but have the hardest time accessing them.
- Crime: Gregg County has the third highest homicide rate in Texas. Anyone who has been a victim of crime or who fears the nearby violence could benefit from mental health services to help cope with post-traumatic stress (PTS), anger, fear and other emotions.
- Obesity: A local community health needs assessment (CHNA) listed obesity as the main health challenge facing the region. Obesity can lead to a variety of other physical health challenges, but the mental health aspect shouldn’t be overlooked either.
- Substance Abuse and Addiction: The CHNA also listed substance abuse as a problem in Longview and Gregg County. Mental health services may be able to help anyone dealing with the effects of addiction.
- Community Health Resources: Many residents lack the proper nutrition and access to healthy activities in order to live a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle. The CHNA identified that the lack of community health resources may play a role.
- Economic Downturn: Since the local economy is so dependent on the oil and gas industry, any downturn in prices can hit residents. Economic downturns can be an especially stressful period for individuals and families.
Mental Health Resources in Longview
Texas ranks poorly across the United States in terms of access to mental health care resources. Despite these state-wide shortages, there are counselors in the Longview area.
Counselors in Longview have been qualified as licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and licensed psychologists. A few therapists have doctorate degrees in clinical psychology as well. Given their wide training backgrounds, these counselors can pull from a variety of therapy modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based practices.
They have helped clients navigate complex traumas, cope with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, ADHD, bipolar, OCD, panic disorder, agoraphobia and general life stress and career challenges. They have worked with adults, children and families in a variety of care settings. These therapists know that each client is unique and will work with you to develop a care plan that meets your needs.
The Challenge of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Longview
The cost of mental health services may seem prohibitive to some residents in Longview. The 22.7% of residents who don’t have health insurance and the 18.3% living in poverty may find it to be especially difficult to get the care they need. There are alternative offerings that may be able to help those facing a cost barrier seek help. Non-profits and community groups sometimes offer free services such as help lines and support groups as well as counseling on a sliding-scale basis based on income. Text- and video-based services may also be more affordable.
The large Spanish-speaking population in Longview may also face an obstacle to treatment. While it’s increasingly popular to provide services in Spanish, this offering is not guaranteed. Even if these residents speak English as a second language, it’s always better to conduct therapy sessions in a native language.
Find a Therapist in Longview
To make the search for a therapist easier, we put together a detailed therapist directory. Our listing includes experienced care providers who have worked with individuals and families in the Longview area. They can be trusted to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to share and process whatever you’re going through.
