Sunrise, Florida Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Sunrise, Florida

Located in Broward County, Sunrise, Florida is part of the Miami metropolitan area and home to over 93,000 people. The median household income in slightly lower than the rest of the state at $47,468 per year. The city is home to over 30,000 African Americans, almost 30,000 Hispanic residents, almost 28,000 white residents and a mix of Asian, American Indians and other races.

Over 37 percent of residents are foreign born, compared to 19.9 percent for the rest of the state. The city’s crime index is lower than the national average, although the number of police officers per resident is lower than Florida’s average.

Natural disasters are much more common in Broward County than they are throughout the rest of the country. Hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, floods, tropical storms, wind and heavy rains are common in this area and can lead to property damage and resident displacement.

The city’s residents are on average physically healthy, have an average BMI, sleep an average of 6.8 hours a night and there is a lower percentage of overweight residents here than in the rest of the state. The percentage of unemployed residents is lower than the state average and the divorce rate is at 12.2 percent. Retail trade, construction and food services and accommodation are the most common industries for employment in Sunrise.

Florida is ranked 17^th in the country for the highest rate of suicide, with 14.2 people committing suicide each year per 100,000. Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and borderline personality disorder can cause people to feel hopeless and end with them taking their own lives. The increasing rates of suicide throughout the country highlight the importance of access to mental health treatment for every American.

 Mental Health Resources in Sunrise, Florida

Broward County provides access to a variety of mental health services, including 24 hour helplines, language line services with no fee and a space for teens to discuss their current problems. For every 100,000 people in Broward County, there are 139 mental health professionals. With millions of Americans dealing with mental illness every year, the consequences of not seeking treatmen are grave.

• For adults 18-44, mood disorders are the third most common reason for hospitalization
• America loses $193 billion in earnings each year because of serious mental illness
• Chronic medical conditions are more common in those with serious mental illness
• Those with mental illness are more likely to die earlier, although many of their conditions are treatable
• Mental health conditions are present in over 90 percent of those who commit suicide
• Veterans commit suicide at a rate of 18-22 people per day

Homelessness, criminal records, substance abuse and heredity are all causes of mental health disorders. Of the homeless adults who live in shelters, close to 46 percent have a severe substance abuse or mental health disorder and 26 percent deal with a serious mental illness.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, warning signs of mental illness can arise out of the blue. These may include mood changes, withdrawal, appetite or sleep changes, problems with thinking, apathy, increased sensitivity, nervousness, unusual behavior, drop in functioning, illogical thinking and feeling disconnected. While one or two of these symptoms may not be cause for alarm, they are signs that further evaluation is needed. Thoughts of suicide or the desire to harm others should be addressed immediately by a mental health professional.

The Challenge of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Sunrise, Florida

In Broward County, where Sunrise is located, residents are allowed to weigh in on issues that matter to them, including serious health issues, staying in school and finding work for young people. These are key elements of solving the mental health crisis, but only part of the full picture. For patients to receive the full spectrum of treatment and ensure that they can improve their quality of life, therapy and medication are often necessary.