Therapists in Newark, NJ and Nearby Locations

Mental Health in Newark, New Jersey

Considered one of the oldest European cities in the United States the largest city in all of New Jersey is Newark. According to city-data.com, 281,770 people resided in Newark in 2016, with most individuals being between the ages of 25 and 44.  Newark is known for having one of the busiest airports in the US and is home to the oldest county park in the nation. In addition, several big business headquarters are there including Panasonic, Prudential, and Audible.com.

Newark, New Jersey Demographic Information

The median household income in Newark is $31,300, which is significantly lower than the median household income for the entire state ($76,126). The population is 48.7% African American, 34.4% Hispanic, and 13% White. Over 46% of the individuals residing there speak a non-English language and a little over 84% are U.S. citizens.

More than 70% of the residents who are 25 and older in Newark have a high school diploma. Less than 14% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The largest universities in Newark are Rutgers University – Newark, Jersey Institute of Technology, and Essex County College.

Data also shows that 51.4% have never been married, 32% are currently married, and 7.2% are divorced. In 2016, New Jersey had the fourth lowest divorce rate in the United States.

Working in Newark, New Jersey

Newark’s economy employs 114,808 people. Although residential and commercial buildings are starting to grow downtown and the city is starting to become a major tech hub, most of the individuals working in Newark don’t live there. Newark residents only hold about 18% of all the jobs in the city, which is a little over 24,000 people. The most common jobs held by Newark residents are administrative, sales, and transportation. In 2014, only 10% of the local jobs paying $40,000 or more per year were held by Newark residents. The unemployment rate in Newark is 11%, which is 130% higher than the US average.

Poverty in Newark, New Jersey

To date, 28.2% of the population in Newark is living below the poverty line. This is almost 93% higher than the national average. Females between the ages of 25 and 34 are the largest demographic in poverty. Research shows that there is a correlation between mental health and poverty. The rate of adults with a mental illness is highest among those with family income below the Federal poverty line. In many cases, poverty exacerbates mental illness and can lead to serious thoughts of suicide.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Newark, New Jersey

Data shows that there are 172 health professionals for every 100,000 people in Newark. Between 2010 and 2012, 3.8% of Essex County residents 18 and over reported mental illness. Other counties were around 4% as well.

Between 2012 and 2014, 12% of Essex County adults reported using illicit drugs in the last 30 days, which is higher than the national average of 10%. Unfortunately, when it comes to mental health and substance abuse, the data only reflects those who reported it.

Seeking Help

There are a few different options for individuals in Newark seeking mental health services. Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care provides clinical care and treatment to those in need. The New Jersey Department of Health also shares a listing of providers in the area for those looking for services.

Data shows that residents 6 to 17 years of age are the largest age group with healthcare coverage in Essex County. Residents between the ages of 25 and 34 are the largest age group without health insurance, which may suggest that they are less likely to seek mental health treatment.

While mental health problems do not appear to be exuberant in Newark, that doesn’t mean that a problem doesn’t exist. Many ethnic groups are reluctant to seek treatment due to the stigma associated with mental health services. There are also several non-English speaking individuals in Newark, which may be a barrier to seeking care.