Midland, Texas Therapists

Overview of Mental health Resources in Midland County, Texas

Midland is the seat of government in Midland County, Texas. The 2010 census reports that the population of the city was at 111,147. The Census also reports that the population grew 4.6 percent, between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012, due to an oil boom. Midland is First Lady Laura Bush’s hometown. The city’s economy is still dominated by oil to the point where there are more jobs than there are employees. They have diversified into being a regional telecommunications and distribution center. The city has a total area of 71.5 square miles (185.2 km²). It has a semi-arid climate that consists of short, reasonable winters and long, hot summers. Midland is nicknamed “The Tall City”, because the fuel costs increase gave the city a financial boost and it built many of its tall city buildings during that time. The per capita income for the city in 2007 was $52,294, according to the Census, and 12.9% of the residents were below the poverty line in 2000. Midland had the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 2.3% in 2014. The top three employers are Midland Independent School District, Dawson Geophysical, and the Midland Memorial Hospital.

City Concerns

According to the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment Report, Midland County has a 31.6% higher self-harm incidents and suicidal attempts than the national benchmark and the excessive alcohol abuse rate is 4% higher than the national rate. The access to services is harder to find for the “working poor” in the area. Most people reported that the reasons for challenges in obtaining mental health services include the lack of knowledge of available resources, lack of transportation, limited access to care, community stigma, financial barriers, and the lack of providers. Overall, the analysis did uncover that there is a significant need to inform and educate the community on health issues, especially with mental health wellness. The emergency rooms are being congested with patients who need mental health care and alcohol recovery services. Midland Health reports that one out of three residents in Midland has some form of a mental health concern. Approximately 9,000 Midland County adults and 2,900 youth and children have severe mental health needs. An estimated 20 to 30 people per year experience their first acute psychotic episodes. Domestic violence is another concern in the Midland area and the state of Texas. The majority of victims of abusive relationships report high rates of depression and anxiety. The Texas Council on Family Violence reports that the unmet need for services rises every day.

The state of Texas had a 4.2% divorce rate in 2016 according to the National Vital Statistic Report compared the U.S. rate of 6.9% in the same year.

There are approximately 14 psychiatrists in Midland. There is an estimate of 56 therapists and 4 treatment centers.

Getting Help

Although it can be challenging to navigate your community’s mental health system, we did research to help you find a supportive team. There is a list of providers below and many of them will offer an opportunity to speak with them prior to a commitment, so you can find a good fit for your needs. It is helpful to list your symptoms, the timeline(s) of duration, and any concerns that you have. Consider what qualities that you feel are important to you in a therapist. Does their education and experience matter to you? Is there a particular specialty that you need? Do you care about the gender of your counselor? Being prepared with these answers could ensure that you do not forget anything during your discussion and help narrow down your choices faster.