Therapists in Plano, TX and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Professionals in Plano, Texas

Named after the Spanish word for “flat”, Plano is the ninth largest city in Texas. It’s estimated that 286,057 people live in Plano. The population is extremely diverse, with a mixture of different races and age groups. It’s a fairly young city, with 36.5% of the inhabitants falling between the ages of 25-44. This creates a strong workforce. The bustling city is a major hub for corporations and young professionals. Plano’s unemployment rate is significantly less than the national average. The median resident income is $82,944.

In 2011, Forbes named Plano as the safest city in America. It was highlighted for its low crime rate and low traffic fatality rate.

Plano is an affluent city. Residents aren’t troubled by a lot of crime but divorce rates are rising.

Plano Demographics

Plano has a population density of 3,820 people per square mile. It has a significant foreign-born population, with a large concentration of Chinese Americans and Mexican Americans.

The median age of a Plano resident is 34. Less than 5% of residents are 65 or older.

Studies show that depression and other mental health disorders are exacerbated by environmental stressors like poverty and crime. Because Plano is a relatively calm city, its residents aren’t experiencing an acute mental health crisis. 4.3% of the population lives below the poverty standard set by the federal government.

Mental Health in Plano

In 1983, a rash of teen suicides in Plano gained national attention. Eight teenagers killed themselves and another 15 attempted to do so in a single year.

Now, teen suicide in Texas is still a problem. It’s the second leading cause of death for young people in the state. Depression rates among young people are surging. A 2016 study conducted by the American College Health Association found a noticeable rise in the number of college and university students who reported feeling “overwhelming anxiety.” The rate rose from 50% in 2011 to over 60% five years later.

The Plano Independent School District has outreach programs for parents whose children may be suffering from a mental health disorder. Administrators work with the Grant Halliburton Foundation to host presentations identifying the signs of teen depression. The meetings are held on different campuses throughout the district.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control, the overall suicide rate in Texas rose 19% from 1999 to 2016. State government officials are considering a law that would require mental health professionals to receive training in suicide prevention strategies.

Mental Health Resources

Since the 90’s, state-funded mental health resources for Collin County were grouped with funds for Dallas. The larger city swallowed most of the funds. However, in 2017 the government appropriated funds specifically for Plano.

The first flush of money was used to revamp the LifePath Mental Health Crisis Center building and to establish a Mobile Crisis Unit. The unit operates as a mediator between distressed residents and law enforcement officers. Their goal is to help the residents as much as they can.

There’s growing evidence that the government can help people avoid ever reaching that point. In addition to financial security, people need a robust social network, a safe home, and quality opportunities for their children. If they do experience a problem, they need access to resources to take care of themselves.

Private therapy is highly beneficial for a lot of people. Research suggests that the mental improvements achieved during therapy can last for years or longer. There are numerous licensed mental health professionals working in Plano. Residents have a lot of options for their care.