An Overview of Mental Health in Perris, California
Life in Perris, California, is typical of what you expect from the southern half of the Golden State. With average rainfall of less than 10 inches per year and an average of 275 sunny days annually, the weather is just one factor that draws people to Perris. The city sits 70 miles from Los Angeles and about 80 miles from San Diego, so the location appeals to those who want to be within a reasonable drive of those large metropolitan areas without living in them. The crime rate of 234.4 incidents per 100,000 people in the population is lower than the national average. The vast majority of these are theft cases.
Perris is part of Riverside County. As of January of 2018, the population is about 76,000 and growing. Affordable housing, at least by California standards, is available, and that draws many to this area. However, economically, the city does not fare as well as other areas of the county. The median household income is $51,315, which is about $6,600 lower than that of Riverside County as a whole. The poverty rate of 23.5 percent is significantly higher than the rate for the county (15.3 percent). The population is mostly Hispanic, and just over 60 percent of households are bilingual.
Mental Health Resources in Perris, California
Perris has a variety of mental health services available for those in need of help.
- Perris Valley Family Resource Center offers parenting skills classes, child abuse prevention services, and more. All of these topics include a mental health component.
- Family Service Association and Perris Valley Recovery Program offer anger management education. This is a common need for those involved in domestic violence.
- Two hospitals in the area, Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health Riverside County Mental Health Clinic and Riverside County Regional Medical Center – Psychiatry, offer specialized mental health services.
- A toll-free CARES Line is available to those experiencing a mental health crisis.
2016 Community Health Needs Assessment for Perris, California
The Kaiser Foundation Hospital Moreno Valley published the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in compliance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Perris was included in this research. The report identified 12 priority areas for the health of the community. Two of the 12 were related to mental health.
The number three issue on the list was access to care. While California averages 157 mental health providers per 100,000 in the population, that figure for the Moreno Valley is just 68.4. The shortage of providers is exacerbated by the fact that 22.71 percent of those in the Moreno Valley have no health insurance coverage for mental health services. This rate is higher than the rate of 16.69 percent for the state.
Number six on the list of health priorities was the overall mental health of the community. For the purposes of this study, mental health was defined as “the state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, and is able to contribute to his or her community.” Adults in the Moreno Valley reported an average of 4.1 days of poor mental health per month compared to 3.6 for the state. The suicide rate for the Moreno Valley is 7.34 for every 100,000 residents in the population.
Where to Find Help in Perris, California
If you or someone you love is struggling to maintain stable mental health, one of the most important things to look for is a personality you can work with comfortably. Clients often make very personal and private statements and disclosures to their therapist or counselor, and trust is critical. An added complication is that, unlike with a primary care doctor or a dentist, it’s often uncomfortable to ask friends or family for a referral to a mental health professional.
E-Counseling provides an online directory to help you search for a therapist that suits your needs. You’ll find a list of professionals, along with a picture of each one and a personal statement about how they approach the therapeutic relationship. You can review credentials and experience level as well. For many consumers, the beauty of the online system is its confidentiality. You can do your research in the privacy of your own home.
