Overland Park, Kansas Therapists

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park is the second largest city in Kansas with a population just under 200,000. It’s a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri and lies in Johnson County. Unlike a lot of the other major cities in the United States, the makeup of Overland Park is over 84% white. There is not an awful lot of diversity in this area of the country.

The median income in Overland is much higher than the national average at just under $75,000. The poverty rate is also very low, at less than 5%. The average property value is high at almost $240,000 and the average age is also high at 38 years old.

Mental Health Statistics for Overland Park

Although you would think that a city with such promising economic prospects would have very low mental health issues, this is not the case. Statistics show that the rate of serious mental illnesses in Overland Park is on the rise consistently since 2010.

Based on the number of people who were discharged for serious mental health issues in the last few years, you can see that Overland Park is no different from the rest of the country. About 50 out of every 10,000 people are treated for a serious mental illness every year in Johnson County.

One of the troubling things about Overland Park is the number of mental health disorders amongst young people. Not only has the number of young people with mental issues risen but the number of suicides amongst this group is alarming.

Impact of Not Receiving Treatment in Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park has a fair amount of mental health resources. There are 207 mental health professionals for every 100,000 people in the city. This means there are over 400 mental health professionals in Overland Park. This is significantly higher than you find in many other cities.

A lack of mental health resources is troubling for many cities. It can lead to an increase in the following:

• Homelessness
• Suicide
• Worsening of mental health conditions
• Joblessness
• Divorce

It seems as if the issue in Overland Park isn’t about the number of mental health professionals. It is more an issue of access to information and mental health resources. This is why a directory such as that provided by E-Counseling is key in a city like Overland Park.

What Makes Overland Park Unique When It Comes to Mental Health?

Given the demographics of Overland Park, you would think it had a low incidence of mental health issues. The median income is high, property values are high and there are plenty of mental health professionals. However, just like every other city, Overland Park has its share of mental health issues.

• Culture: Overland Park is a very homogenous area. Most people are a bit older. The average age is 38 years old. This is key when you consider that a lot of people don’t start experiencing their mental health issues until 35-40 years old.
• Economic: Financially speaking, the people of Overland Park are in a good position. However, there hasn’t really been an increase in property value or median income in quite some time. So, although the financial outlook isn’t exactly bleak, neither is it progressive.
• Climate: Overland Park is right on the cusp of where the United States goes from sub-tropical and humid to continental. This can be frustrating for people. It is shown that seasonality can actually alleviate mental health issues. Without any change in weather, there is nothing to change mental health outlooks, good or bad.

Divorce Rate in Overland Park

The divorce rate in Overland Park is one of the five lowest in the country. In fact, the city was described as one of the happiest in the United States. However, this doesn’t mean people in this part of the country can’t benefit from couples’ therapy. One reason a lot of people stay together is financial. This is true especially in a city where people’s money is tied up into homes and property.

As younger people move into the area, expect an increase in the divorce rate. Already, we have seen young people have mental health issues in Overland Park. These are the same people who will comprise the next census’ evaluation of marriage and divorce rates.

Mental Health Resources in Overland Park, Kansas

There does appear to be a generous amount of mental health professionals in Overland Park. The issue is not availability. The issue lies in access to information and resources. In Overland Park, younger people would benefit greatly to a directory that provided quick information and mental health resources.

There are about 400 mental health professionals in Overland Park. The issue clearly is not with the number of professionals – it is with access to these professionals.