Therapists in Sioux Falls, SD and Nearby Locations

Overview of Mental Health Resources in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sioux Falls proclaims to be the most populous city in the entire state of South Dakota. The population of the city as of 2017 stands at roughly 180,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A city just shy of 200,000 people is sure to be teeming with life. The case of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is no different. While South Dakota may seem boring to some, there is always something to do in the metropolitan area. Sioux Falls has flourishing city parks frequented by residents. There is even a place in the area that will make you feel as if you’re in Japan. It’s called the Shoto-Teien Japanese Gardens. There, visitors are ensconced with lush trees and other nature to peruse. Koi are even present on the premises.

As is the case with most cities in the United States, the number one reason people move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota is because of a job opportunity. While the job market is relatively solid in town, it isn’t exactly thriving. Most people in the area have a job. In fact, the unemployment rate in Sioux Falls is 41 percent lower than the national average, as per the U.S. Census Bureau. That being said, despite the economic stability of some, many are living under the federal poverty level. Earnings in the area are stagnated and low. Low-income is one of the contributing factors to a larger problem at hand. Experts are saying that Sioux Falls is going through a “mental health crisis.” Let’s break down what that means, what is causing Sioux Falls’ state of mental health to be so poor, and what you can do to reach out for help if you are in need of counseling.

The problem of mental health is not one contained to just the city of Sioux Falls. According to reports published by the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illnesses are all-too-common in the United States. They estimate that one in five American adults suffer from a mental illness. In this context, mental illness refers to any disorder of the mind, ranging from anything from clinical depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. So, why is mental health such a concern in the Sioux Falls region?

Firstly, the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a high crime area. Particularly, both violent crime and property crime are committed more than twice as often in Sioux Falls than the rest of the nation, as per statistics sourced from the FBI. There is a known statistical link between areas with high crime rates and areas with high rates of mental illness. Sioux Falls’ overall crime rate is roughly 30 percent higher than the national average. That means the FBI estimates approximately 20 crimes occur every day within the city limits. Undoubtedly, the rampant nature of crime in Sioux Falls is harming its citizen’s mental health.

Inhabitants of Sioux Falls earn a little less than the national average in terms of income. However, the cost of living and the cost of housing/rent is higher than the state average. These discrepancies only serve to worsen the poverty situation. Poverty breeds not only crime but mental illness as well. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American adults who live below the poverty line are more than twice as likely to experience mental health problems than the average, non-poverty struck American.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Finding a therapist is not always the easiest feat. Many people report feeling overwhelmed. As per a recent study from Mental Health America, most Americans lack access to care. Roughly 56 percent of American adults with mental illness do not undergo any treatment. Before attending therapy, it’s recommended to create a list of reasonable, ascertainable goals you wish to achieve throughout your time in counseling. It’s also best to recognize the falsity of stigmas surrounding mental health treatment and to acknowledge the many benefits that accompany therapy.

Residents of Sioux Falls are (around 2 percent) more likely to be uninsured than the average American, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That coupled with the fact that wages in the area have largely stagnated means that the out-of-pocket expense associated with therapy is not an option for many. Income continues to be the primary determining factor as to if someone is likely to receive treatment for a mental condition or not.

Finding a therapist

Currently, America is going through a shortage of mental health professionals who provide treatment. Thankfully, those in Sioux Falls have a healthy choice of options when it comes to treatment providers. Places like Avera Behavioral Health Center offer a bevy of services aimed at Sioux Falls residents that are in need. Southeastern Behavioral Health is another mental health clinic that services those in the Sioux Falls area.