Therapists in Lorain, OH and Nearby Locations

An Overview of Mental Health in Lorain, Ohio

Located where the Black River flows into Lake Erie, residents of Lorain, Ohio can enjoy daily breathtaking views of these two beautiful bodies of water. The city is a part of Lorain County and has a total population of 63,841 people. The racial makeup of the city includes 52.6 percent white alone residents, 29.4 percent Hispanics, and 16.5 percent African Americans.

Although Lorain’s cost of living index is at 90, which is better than the national average, this city is trying to overcome the immense stress and hardship brought by the deindustrialization of the Midwest. While Lorain was once home to the Ford Motor Company Lorain Assembly Plant, United States Steel Corporation, and the American Ship Building Company Lorain, these businesses no longer exist in the city.

As a result, many people lost their jobs and chose to leave the city, while others remained and witnessed the effects of urban decay. In the aftermath of the hardship, Lorain’s population has declined and 25.4 percent of the community is living in poverty.

In the face of unemployment, poverty, and the degradation of one’s city, individuals are especially prone to dealing with various mental health issues. The 2016 Lorain County Community Health Assessment findings revealed that 20 percent of adults in the county felt sad, blue, or depressed for two weeks or more in 2015. When asked to identify the source of their depression, stress, or anxiety, residents chose financial stress, job stress, and poverty as the top three causes.

The Trouble Finding a Suitable Therapist in Lorain, Ohio

Unfortunately, despite these mental health concerns, many people are struggling within the community who do not receive treatment. From those surveyed, 11 percent of adults had used a program to help themselves or a loved one find relief for emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. Those who chose not to receive help listed not considering a program, being concerned about the perception of others, and a lack of affordability as the top three reasons they didn’t go.

These three reasons listed by residents correspond with common reasons adults throughout the United States don’t receive treatment for their mental illnesses. Those who don’t have insurance or can’t afford to pay for mental health treatment won’t access the help they need, and many people struggle to get past the stigma surrounding mental health.

Notably, the main cause of not receiving help was connected to a lack of awareness of programs available to help them. By connecting residents in Lorain, Ohio with providers in their area and emphasizing that seeking help is a proactive step in helping them achieve a better quality of life, more individuals may receive the treatment they need.

The Impact of Not Receiving Treatment in Lorain, Ohio

The consequences of people not receiving treatment for whatever reason are severe and unfortunate. Here is how residents of Lorain, Ohio, and the surrounding county are negatively impacted:

• Suicide: When one feels entirely hopeless and helpless in their situation, they might decide that suicide is the answer. Several mental illnesses include suicidal thoughts as a symptom. In 2015, 3 percent of adults considered suicide, and 1 percent of the population died due to suicide. Statistics also reveal that 6 percent of youths attempted suicide in 2015.

• Incarceration: Unfortunately, 15 percent of men and 30 percent of women in jails have a severe mental illness. Lorain, Ohio has especially high crime rates which is an increasing trend. The rate of violent crimes in Lorain exceeds the national average by 2.5 percent and the state average by 35.18 percent. The rate of property crimes exceeds the national average by 58.57 and the state average by 47.04 percent.
• Divorce: The overall divorce rate in Lorain in the last year was 4 percent. While divorce can also be considered a trigger for mental health concerns, especially depression, one’s mental illnesses can also adversely affect their marriage and lead to a divorce. For this reason, seeking out a therapist after a divorce can be very helpful.