Plymouth, Minnesota Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Plymouth, Minnesota

The United States has faced a variety of “health crises” over the years, but one issue that has been gaining much-needed attention recently is that of mental illness. Many parts of the country are experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals. To make the problem even worse, there is still a much-lingering stigma surrounding mental health, which often discourages those who need care from seeking it out.

In the face of this crisis, some states are making significant progress toward better mental health. Although it ranks 32 in terms of the prevalence of mental illness, Minnesota has achieved an overall ranking of number one on Mental Health America’s state ranking list. The rankings consider various factors, such as access to treatment and the prevalence of illness. This suggests that while Minnesota may be seeing higher-than-average rates of poor mental health, it has stepped up to meet the needs of its residents.

In 2015, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a report on mental health in the state of Minnesota between 2010 and 2014. Some of the highlights include:

• Adolescents with major depression received care at an annual rate of 54.6 percent, compared to the national average of 38.6 percent.
• Adults with any mental illness also got treatment at a higher rate than the rest of the country – 50 percent versus 42.7 percent.
• Among individuals under the age of 17, 78.5 percent of those who received mental health care reported positive results from their treatment, versus the national percentage of 69.5 percent.

With that being said, there is always room for improvement. Much of the state has been meeting the demand for treatment, but some areas are still lacking.

Risk Factors in Plymouth

Plymouth, Minnesota, is a suburb of Minneapolis, the largest city in the state. Both are located in Hennepin County. Plymouth had an estimated population of 78,395 residents in 2018. Its poverty rate and unemployment rate are both relatively low, at 5.2 percent and 3 percent, respectively. In 2017, the median income was almost $92,000, and per capita income was just over $50,000. The city’s largest industries are manufacturing, healthcare, and professional, scientific & tech services.

In 2015, the Minnesota Department of Human Services released data surrounding the need for mental health services by county. It is estimated that over 50,000 adults in Hennepin County need treatment for serious mental illness, a higher percentage than most other counties in the state.

One possible reason for this is the high growth rate in the area’s population. For example, between the time of the 2010 Census and July 2013, the population of Minneapolis skyrocketed from approximately 383,000 to 393,000 – a growth of 10,000 people in only three years. When a metropolitan area experiences rapid growth, often the city has trouble meeting the new demand with the resources it has available. The county as a whole has also seen a high growth rate.

Resources in Plymouth

When dealing with a mental illness, it can be difficult and even scary to reach out for help. It is important to remember that many others are dealing with similar issues, and you are not alone. However, the search can be overwhelming, and you may not know where to turn for the care you need. Luckily, there are many facilities available in Plymouth, as well as the surrounding area.

• Plymouth Psych Group offers a wide variety of services and local resources, including counseling for individuals, couples, and families, psychotherapy, and group therapy. There is also a selection of learning and support programs, many of them geared toward teens and individuals with autism.
• Touchstone Mental Health is a facility in Minneapolis with many services such as flexible behavioral health care, residential treatment, support groups as well as resources to help those who are homeless or at risk.
• Reed Psychological Services provides counseling, psychotherapy, and assessments in Plymouth, with some services designed specifically to assist specific demographics such as older adults and LGBTQ individuals.