Therapists in Richmond, VA and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Resources in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia is one of the oldest major cities in the United States. The city itself is located on the James River. The economy of Richmond is driven by law firms, banks, and the government. It is not like a lot of other big cities with a large mixture of businesses.

The city is an independent city made up of historic districts. It also is home to several African American wards, made up of working-class communities. Richmond enjoys a seasonal climate, with hot and humid summers and cold, snowy winters.

About 220,000 people are living in the city with a per-capita income much lower than the national average of just $30,000. In fact, over 26% of the population of Richmond, Virginia is living in poverty.

These statistics alone can predict that Richmond will have a high number of people suffering from mental health disorders. Poverty alone is a strong indicator and cause of depression and anxiety. It also can lead to substance abuse issues and suicide.

Mental Health Statistics for Richmond

In Virginia, over a million people suffer from sort of mental health issues. About a third of these qualify as suffering from a serious mental illness. The problem becomes compounded when we look at substance abuse in Virginia. Over a quarter of a million people in Virginia are suffering from both drug or alcohol abuse and a mental health disorder. The two do tend to go hand in hand.

More than half of the people in Virginia who have a mental health disorder are not treated. One of the problems in Virginia has to do with Medicaid. It is believed that if Virginia were to expand their Medicaid program, more than 80,000 people suffering from mental health illness would be covered for treatment.

Impact of Not Receiving Treatment in Richmond, Virginia

Virginia is aware that they don’t have the resources to effectively treat people suffering from mental illness. Part of this is financial and some of this is informational. People simply do not know how or where to go to seek mental health assistance.

Richmond has a large proportion of people who are experiencing poverty. This means that not only do these people not have medical insurance, but they are also more prone to become depressed. Some of the problems Richmond is experiencing due to a lack of mental health care are:

• One of the highest suicide rates in the country
• Overcrowded jails
• Substance abuse
• Unemployment
• Homelessness

If Medicaid is expanded, it will help reach some of the people suffering from mental illness. However, it will do little to improve the information system for residents in Richmond. This is why it’s so important that there be an efficient mental health counseling directory in Richmond, Virginia.

What Makes Richmond Unique When it Comes to Mental Health?

Although Richmond is an older, historic city, its residents suffer from problems just like in any other major city.

• Culture: Over 60% of the population in Richmond are minorities. Minorities tend to go without mental health treatment more so than whites.
• Education: Only 36% of the people in Richmond have a college degree. This makes it harder for these people to get well-paying jobs that come with mental health benefits.
• Unemployment Rate: Nashville’s unemployment rate is 3.9%, a bit higher than other U.S. cities.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Given the lower median income, residents of Richmond are less likely to have the means and resources to seek mental health treatment.

Divorce Rate in Richmond

Years ago, Virginia had just as high a divorce rate as the rest of the country. Today, it has one of the lowest at just 10%. It has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country. Now, this could mean that Virginia truly is for lovers. Or this could be because fewer people are getting married in Virginia.

Couples in Richmond could certainly benefit from couples’ therapy and counseling. Perhaps it could lead to more couples marrying. It could also improve the relationships of many couples living in the Richmond area.

Mental Health Resources in Richmond

Because of a long-term issue with mental health resources, Virginia receives over $11 million every year in federal aid. This money is meant to help provide mental health and substance abuse resources to the people of Virginia.

Even with this aid, however, many people in Richmond do not have access to mental health treatment. As mentioned above, over a million people in Virginia suffer from a mental illness. Yet half of these go without treatment.