An Overview of Mental Health in St. Clair Shores, Michigan
The city of St. Clair Shores was home to French settlers in the early 1700s, when it was called L’anse Creuse. Later, in the 1800s, it became part of a town ship, and it was recognized as the largest village in the United States. After World War II, the resort community developed into a suburban city, incorporating as such in 1951. It is now 96 percent residential with a variety of public services and activities. People seem to enjoy their community, yet a range of mental health concerns hide amongst the residents.
If you are a new citizen of this city or a visitor, though, you may see the abundance of enjoyable activities rather than the health obstacles. St. Clair Shores is home to many aesthetically pleasing buildings and activities, as well as natural beauty. Interesting areas that reflect on history and the character of the city include the Arsenal of Democracy Museum, the Selinski-Green Farmhouse Museum, and the Crocker House Museum. Enjoy the architectural complexity of St. Lazarus Servian Orthodox Church and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. Then head outdoors to explore the magnificent nature at Weigand Park, Lake St. Clair Metropark, and Belle Isle Park.
Understanding the statistical make-up of the city is the first step to comprehending the mental health concerns that exist. The population of around 60,000 people is almost exclusively white, with almost 92 percent of residents being Caucasian alone. Educational achievement drastically drops off after high school, and close to nine percent of people live in poverty. The physical, behavioral, and social health concerns all contribute to the mental obstacles that residents battle. Additionally, barriers to health care make it hard to receive needed treatment.
Physical Health
Mental health concerns may lead to, follow, or be comorbid with physical fitness struggles. With a median age of 45, this city has an older population than that of the average United States city. Health conditions plague the older population as well as the younger residents of the city.
- Respiratory chronic conditions are more prevalent in the city than in the rest of Michigan or the United States.
- The obesity rate of adults is 33 percent, which is great than state or national rates.
- Over 32 percent of adults suffer from chronic pain.
- At about 40 percent, the rate of depression reported by youths in the last year is much higher than the state or national rates.
- Only about one third of adults with poor mental health take medication or receive treatment.
It is evident that mental concerns come alongside physical difficulties. Surprisingly, over 90 percent of adults in the area believe treatment helps people with mental illnesses, yet so few receive the treatment that they need.
Behavioral Health
Average test scores in St. Clair Shores, Michigan are ten percent lower than the national scores. Though almost 90 percent of students complete high school, less than 25 percent complete a bachelor’s degree and less than two percent earn a doctorate degree. Behavioral health risk factors accompany this drop-off in education to lead to mental health concerns.
The first risk factor is the inadequate fruits, vegetables, and exercise that children and adults in the area receive daily. Later mental struggles in the adult population include higher rates of smoking, heavy drinking, and binge drinking than the state and national rates. Substance abuse issues include both prescription drugs and illicit drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine. These problems are considered top behavioral and mental illness concerns in the city.
Social Health
Several social indicators affect the mental health of the city.
- The unemployment rate of almost five percent is higher than state and national rates.
- There is a greater number of confirmed victims of child abuse per capita than in the United States.
- Many children live with insufficient finances with almost half of students needing reduced price lunches and half of zero to four-year-old children receiving WIC assistance.
- One in seven residents live in poverty, including one in five children under age 18 living in poverty.
Barriers to Health Care
Barriers to health care include cost and lack of insurance. Additionally, inadequate transportation keeps people from getting needed help. Lack of awareness about mental health and services may keep some from treatment. Lastly, cultural barriers include fear of the system and a public misperception of the undeserved.
Solution
E-counseling provides a directory of trusted therapists and counselors in the area of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. The website also provides helpful resources and information.
