San Francisco, California Therapists

Mental Health Care in San Francisco, California

San Francisco is in Northern California, and this thriving city is a hub of commerce, finance, and culture in the area. San Francisco is one of the most populated cities in the U.S., and it’s known for features like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. San Francisco is also one of the most expensive areas of the country and the world to live in. While the per capita personal income also ranks among the highest in the U.S., the cost of living poses a challenge for some residents of the city, as do other issues. The wealth disparity in the city is significant, and the lifestyle is fast-paced and stress-filled for many people.

While San Francisco and the entire Bay Area are home to some of the world’s largest companies, and tech companies, there are still wealth disparities. The high cost of living in the area can make it challenging for residents to live comfortably, even with a strong income. For example, according to current estimates, the monthly rent for a 900 square ft. apartment in an expensive area in San Francisco is more than $4,200. In a normal area not considered high-rent, the same-sized apartment would cost an average of nearly $3,600 a month.

Homelessness continues to be a pervasive problem in San Francisco. According to reports from both individuals who live in the city and who visit it, it’s not uncommon to see many people lying in the streets. There are an estimated 7,500 homeless people in San Francisco, and it has impacted commerce and the tourism industry in the city. It also affects the people who call the city home. Many of the people who now live on the streets in San Francisco are believed to be there either because of mental health disorders, substance abuse, or a combination.

Substance abuse and opioid addiction are plaguing San Francisco. There have been recent task forces put together by the mayor of the city, charged with offering medications like buprenorphine to homeless people in the city. Buprenorphine is a medication that can help with opioid dependence. However, there are still many drug overdoses and deaths reported in the city. In 2017, a record number of people not just in San Francisco but the state of California died from fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is an opioid significantly stronger than even heroin. The California Department of Health Reported that 373that people died from Fentanyl in the state of California in 2017.

Additionally, so many people died by suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge, that there were recently suicide barriers put up at the popular tourist spot. In 80 years, more than 1,500 people are believed to have died by suicide at the bridge.

Not just San Francisco, but the state of California also has a relatively high divorce rate. Anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of couples in the U.S. are estimated to divorce, and California is believed to have a higher divorce rate than the national average, at around 60 percent.

All these statistics can seem bleak, but there are mental health resources available in San Francisco. These resources include state and local non-profits that help people struggling with addiction, mental health disorders, and homelessness. Some counselors can help people who deal with stress from issues common in the area, such as high-stress work environments and relationship difficulties.

Mental Health Resources in San Francisco

A lot of financial resources go into San Francisco’s local mental health organizations. For example, one place people can turn to is the Mental Health Board of San Francisco, which has a hotline people can call to receive information from a clinician. Psychiatry services are available, either through the Mission Mental Health Clinic, or the private provider Network.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health operates the Behavioral Health Plan, which features programs, clinics, and access to private psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists. There are neighborhood organizations throughout the city offering mental health assistance and care as well. For example, there is Haight Ashbury Psychological Services with a sliding scale payment plan, the Bayview Hunter’s Point Foundation Behavioral Health program where no one is denied service, and the MOST Team & South of Market Street Mental Health Services Organization.

Along with these primarily non-profit organizations, many private and individual therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists work in San Francisco. San Francisco has more therapists and licensed mental health care providers than most other places in the U.S. With so many options available, it can be helpful to narrow it down based on areas of specialties. Most specialties in terms of therapy and mental health are represented in San Francisco and the Bay Area.