Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky Therapists

Mental Health Issues and Care Services in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, the seat of Jefferson County, is the largest city in the state of Kentucky. After a city-county merger in 2003, Louisville and Jefferson County consolidated their boundaries and governments into what is now known as the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, or Louisville Metro for short.

The United States Census Bureau estimates Louisville Metro’s 2017 population at a little over 620,000 residents. The Census Bureau also reports that the median household income in Louisville is $46,881. While this number is consistent with the median for the state of Kentucky, it is significantly lower than the median household income for the entire United States, which is estimated at a little over $55,000. This statistic is in turn indicative of the higher percentage of people living in poverty in the Louisville Metro area (17.7%) as compared to the national average (12.7%). These statistics are concerning as people with low income, especially those living below the poverty line, typically have limited or no access to healthcare, including mental health services.

Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky Mental Health Statistics

As reported in a fact sheet published by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, around 61.5 million adults, or 1 in 4 Americans experience some type of mental health issue annually. While serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression affect only 13.6 million Americans combined, anxiety disorders are much more prevalent. NAMI reports that 42 million people are living with illnesses such as phobias, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and panic disorder.

The 2017 Health Equity Report for Louisville Metro states that 13.3% of adults in the area reported having 14 or more days of poor mental health in a month. The report also focuses on other related areas of concern such as the death rates in the area caused by suicide and drug and alcohol use. In the period from 2011 to 2015, there were 584 deaths caused by suicide and 1,356 deaths caused by drugs and alcohol in the Louisville Metro.

The report also discusses the socioeconomic factors that play a role in the state of mental health in this community, including low education, unemployment, exposure to violence, housing quality, air quality, availability of recreational spaces, and last but not least, the shortage of mental health professionals in the area.

Availability of Mental Health Care in Louisville Metro, Kentucky

The lack of adequate mental health care in the area is best illustrated by the fact that the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness does not provide mental health services as reported on their website.

The department instead refers citizens to Metro United Way and Centerstone (formerly known as Seven Counties Services), a local not-for-profit mental health organization providing treatment and services to community members suffering from mental illnesses, behavioral disorders, addictions, and developmental disabilities.

Another local resource is the Cardinal Success Program at Nia Center. Created as a partnership between the University of Louisville’s College of Education and Human Development, the Department of Counseling and Human Development, and the West Louisville community, the program offers psychology counseling and services performed by graduate-level students.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Louisville also provides mental health services to the local community. Additionally, the organization has compiled an extensive list of local and national mental health resources, such as hotlines, and counseling, substance abuse, and supportive housing information.

The Importance of Finding a Mental Health Professional

Mental and behavioral disorders have a detrimental impact on all aspects of life. Individuals suffering from illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder can experience difficulties with sustaining employment, completing education, and maintaining relationships. With counseling and treatment, however, many patients can lead normal lives.

While being especially selective is somewhat difficult when there is a shortage of mental care options, it is still important to make the following considerations:

• The provider’s experience with your specific condition or disorder
• The provider’s reputation amongst patients and colleagues in the community
• Your level of trust and comfort with the counselor
• The availability of free mental care services or insurance acceptance
• location, office hours, and availability of appointments