Pearland, Texas Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Pearland, Texas

Pearland, part of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2010 and 2007, the city’s population increased by nearly 30 percent.

Pearland has a rich cultural background dating to the city’s inception in 1894. Popular sites for residents and visitors alike include the Colorado, Gulf, and Santa Fe railroad depots, the Sri Meenakashi Temple, and the Old Settler’s Cemetery. Thanks to its Gulf Coast location, Pearland has a variety of outdoor year-round events such as WinterFest, Concerts in the Park, Pearland Opry on the Square, and Paws in the Park.

Good weather, plenty of things to do, and affordable housing and hotels cannot chase mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia away. The good news is as part of the Houston metropolitan area, residents of Pearland have numerous mental health treatment options.

Poverty and Mental Health in Pearland, Texas

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pearland’s poverty rate of 4.5% is significantly lower than the state and national averages of 14.7% and 12.7% (respectively). However, 8.4% of the 119,940 people living in Pearland, Texas do not have health insurance. This can escalate the already complex relationship between poverty and mental illness, especially for those Pearland residents who cannot easily access healthcare.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), poverty worsens the symptoms of serious mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The daily struggles of living exacerbate symptoms of mental illness among people of all economic classes. However, when daily struggles are defined as all-too-real fears about food, shelter, and healthcare and combined with one or more serious mental illnesses, treatment compliance and positive outcomes become more challenging.

Poverty also makes it more probable that a person will experience a serious mental illness. Also, it is worth noting that even people with high school and college educations are more at risk of living in poverty when a mental illness presents itself.

Mental Health Statistics for Pearland, Texas

One in five (or 20%) of adults in Texas will experience a mental health issue this year, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

According to a report from the American Psychological Association, Texas has nearly 3,900 active psychologists — the largest number in the Southern region. This further demonstrates how pervasive the problem of mental illness is among people throughout the state.

While Pearland-specific statistics are difficult to find, according to the SAMHSA Texas Behavioral Health Barometer for 2015, Texas overall has mental illness incidence rates that are close to the national average. The national and state averages for serious mental illnesses among adults for the same period were 3.8% and 4.2%, respectively. The state’s percentage of major depressive episodes among children 12-17 in 2013-2014 was 11.2% — on par with the U.S. average of 11% for the same period.

Mental Health Resources for Pearland, Texas

According to SAMHSA, Pearland, Texas does not have any facilities that offer inpatient or outpatient mental health services for children or adults. Pearland also does not have any substance abuse treatment services within the city limits. However, remember Pearland is part of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. Thus, it appears that Pearland residents may visit Houston (approximately nine miles away) for their mental health or substance abuse treatment.

SAMHSA also lists providers in Manvel (approximately five miles away), Friendswood (approximately five miles away), Pasadena (approximately nine miles away), and Webster (approximately 10 miles away). There are 18 mental health treatment options and 31 substance abuse treatment providers in cities (besides Houston) that are within a 15-mile radius of Pearland.

Many of these organizations offer low-cost treatment options, especially for people without insurance. This is important because 8.4% of people living in Pearland, Texas do not have health insurance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Challenges of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Pearland, Texas

This website is dedicated to helping people in Pearland, Texas and every other U.S. city find the best mental health treatment possible.

While your employer or health insurer likely has a referral service, you are likely to end up frustrated after hours of completing rather personal forms. More often than not, providers recommended by your employer or health insurer have few or no appointments.