Therapists in Temecula, CA and Nearby Locations

Overview of Mental Health Care in Temecula, California

A popular tourist destination in California, Temecula lies in the southwestern part of Riverside County. The city is located about 85 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and 58 miles north of downtown San Diego in the Inland Empire metropolitan area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates its 2017 population at 114,327 residents, which shows an increase of 14.3% since the 2010 census counts.

Temecula is one of the more affluent communities in the state with a median household income of $83,840 as per the U.S. Census Bureau. This number is quite a bit higher compared to the $63,783 median income for California and $55,322 for the country. Furthermore, only 6.7% of Temecula’s residents live below the poverty level. In comparison, the percentage of persons in poverty in both the state of California and the United States is nearly twice as high (13.3% and 12.3% respectively). As far as health insurance coverage, the percentage of Temecula residents under 65 years with no insurance (10.6%) is slightly higher than the average for California (8.1%) and pretty consistent with the average for the United States (10.2%).

Socioeconomic drivers such as income and insurance are critical when it comes to individuals’ ability to obtain health care services, especially mental health care, which is often looked upon as non-essential. While many people can continue their daily activities, ultimately most untreated mental and behavioral health issues turn out to be detrimental to the individual’s physical well-being and can affect their education, job, and relationships with family and friends. In some instances, such conditions can even lead to self-harm, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation or attempts.

According to CDC’s 500 Cities Project: Local Data for Better Health, 11.4% of Temecula adult residents reported experiencing 14 or more days of poor mental health in the past month. This percentage is consistent with the average for the United States. When it comes to unhealthy behaviors, which are often associated with poor mental health, the CDC reports that in Temecula 20.4% of adults engage in binge drinking, 13.8% are current smokers, and 36.1% get less than 7 hours of sleep a night.

When it comes to Riverside County where Temecula is located, the 2017 “Healthy And Safe Riverside County: Investing in What Works” report highlights a troubling correlation between mental health and incarceration and homelessness. The percentage of mentally unhealthy individuals in jail far outnumbers those in the general population with up to 15% of the county inmates suffering from a serious mental illness and almost half having some type of mental condition. In comparison, only 4.6% of the general county population is diagnosed with a serious mental disorder. The report also states that out of the homeless population in Riverside County, 26% use alcohol, 33% use drugs, and 26% suffer from some form of mental condition.

Mental Health Care Organizations and Facilities in Temecula, California

In addition to the Riverside County Department of Mental Health, which has a public mental health clinic for children in Temecula, several private and non-profit organizations can assist residents of all ages in need of mental or behavioral health care services. These facilities cater to individuals struggling with various conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, stress, and substance abuse.