Southfield, Michigan Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Southfield, Michigan

Southfield, Michigan is a suburb in northern Detroit. It’s located within Oakland County and is part of the Detroit metropolitan area. As of 2017 estimates, the population is approximately 73,208. It is the business and commercial hub of the Detroit area. There are more than 100 Fortune 500 companies with offices in Southfield.

While Southfield may be known as “The Center of it All,” the population is not immune to struggles. In fact, mental illnesses, substance use, and suicide are pervasive problems in the area. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), mental health is the top 5th health concern among survey respondents in Oakland County. It’s important to understand the data about mental health in Southfield and what resources are available to those who need help.

The following statistics show that serious mental illnesses and suicide are major concerns in Southfield, Oakland County, and Michigan as a whole.

• 4 percent of the Oakland County population reported having poor mental health in the past month from 2012 to 2014. The rate for poor mental health was 12.6 percent in all of Michigan.
• The suicide rate in Oakland County and statewide from 2012 to 2014 was 12.8 percent.
• 9 percent of adults in the Detroit metro area suffered from major depression in the past year. This is higher than the national rate of 6.6 percent.
• In Michigan, 4 percent of adults had a serious mental illness from 2013 to 2014.
• 5 percent of Michigan adults had serious suicidal thoughts from 2013 to 2014.
• The suicide rate in Michigan has increased 33 percent since 1999.
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Michigan.

This data from the MDHHS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that people in Southfield deserve effective mental health treatment.

A Look at Substance Use in Southfield, Michigan

The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that substance use disorders often co-occur with other mental illnesses and disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the behaviors and patterns relating to alcohol and drugs in the Southfield area.

According to SAMHSA, 10.1 percent of people 12 years and older in the Detroit metro area had a substance use disorder in the last year. This is notably higher than the national percentage of 9.0. Additionally, 25.6 percent of the same age group in the Detroit area struggle with binge drinking. Again, this is higher than the nationwide rate of 23.2 percent. Shockingly, 91.8 percent of people in Michigan who abuse or are dependent on alcohol did not receive treatment. Similarly, 81.7 percent did not get treatment for using illegal drugs.

The Trouble of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Southfield, Michigan

Access to mental health services is a concern across the country. In fact, most people don’t receive treatment for mental illnesses and disorders in this country. This rings true in the Southfield area as well. A majority of survey respondents in Oakland County said they “don’t know” whether it is easy to access mental health treatment. One major factor that prevents some Southfield residents from accessing mental health services is lack of health insurance. Nearly 9 percent of the Southfield population doesn’t have coverage.

Mental Health Resources in Southfield, Michigan

The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom for those struggling with mental illnesses in Southfield. There are several reasons to be optimistic about access to treatment. For every 100,000 individuals in Southfield, there are 284 mental health professionals. This is even more than the 146 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. Plus, 40 percent of MDHHS survey respondents somewhat agree or agree that mental health services are easy to access.

There are a variety of mental health care providers in Southfield and across Michigan. The MDHHS explains that there are various free clinics, community health centers, and community programs. It is refreshing that there are so many low-cost options to access mental health care.

Directory of Therapists in Southfield, Michigan

One great mental health resource for Southfield residents is E-Counseling.com. We designed our directory of mental health services providers to make it easy to find a therapist.