Therapists in Tyler, TX and Nearby Locations

An Overview of Mental Health in Tyler, Texas

Tyler, Texas is dubbed the Rose Capital of the United States and was named after the 10^th U.S. President John Tyler.

The annual Texas Rose Festival brings thousands of tourists each October to Tyler, which has brought tourism dollars and jobs to this city of nearly 105,000 people. More than 20,000 higher education students attend institutions in Tyler, and the northeastern Texas city has also attracted a number of technology start-up companies.

Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia affect all types of people in cities throughout the United States and beyond. The good news is Tyler, Texas offers multiple treatment options.

Poverty and Mental Health in Tyler, Texas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tyler’s unemployment rate was 3.5% as of May 2018; this is lower both than the state and national averages of 4.1% and 3.8%, respectively.

However, more than 20% of Tyler’s residents live below the poverty level – significantly higher than the national average of 12.7%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Texas’ overall poverty level is 14.7%, slightly higher than the national average and actually one of the lowest poverty levels Texas has seen in years.

While it is difficult to pinpoint why Tyler has such a high poverty rate compared to the state and national averages, poverty and mental illness have a very multifaceted relationship.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), poverty exacerbates the symptoms of serious mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The daily struggles of living worsen symptoms of mental illness among people of all economic classes. However, when daily struggles are defined as all-too-real fears about food, shelter, and healthcare and combined with one or more serious mental illnesses, treatment compliance and positive outcomes become more challenging.

Poverty also makes it more likely that a person will experience a serious mental illness. Also, it is worth noting that even people with high school and college educations are more at risk of living in poverty when a mental illness presents itself.

Mental Health Statistics for Tyler, Texas

One in five (or 20%) of adults in Texas will experience a mental health issue this year, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

According to a report from the American Psychological Association, Texas has nearly 3,900 active psychologists — the largest number in the Southern region. This further demonstrates how pervasive the problem of mental illness is among people throughout the state.

While Tyler-specific statistics are difficult to find, according to the SAMHSA Texas Behavioral Health Barometer for 2015, Texas overall has mental illness incidence rates that are close to the national average.

• The national and state averages for serious mental illnesses among adults for the same period were 3.8% and 4.2%, respectively.
• Texas’ percentage of adults (3.4%) who reported serious suicidal ideation in 2013-2014 was lower than the national average of 3.9%.
• Approximately 38.3% of Texas adults visited a mental health professional in 2010-2014, which was lower than the U.S. average of 42.7% for that four-year period.
• The state’s percentage of major depressive episodes among children 12-17 in 2013-2014 was 11.2% — on par with the U.S. average of 11% for the same period.

Mental Health Resources for Tyler, Texas

SAMHSA lists four facilities in Tyler, Texas that offer inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children and adults. Tyler has eight facilities that focus on substance abuse treatment.

It appears that some Tyler residents may visit neighboring communities such as Jacksonville (approximately 28 miles away) for their mental health treatment. SAMHSA lists an additional mental health treatment option in Jacksonville. Many of these organizations offer low-cost treatment options, especially for people without insurance. This is important as nearly 22% of the people living in Tyler, Texas do not have health insurance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Challenges of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Tyler, Texas

This website is dedicated to helping people in Tyler, Texas and every other U.S. city find the best mental health treatment possible.

While your employer or health insurer likely has a referral service, you are likely to end up frustrated after hours of completing rather personal forms. More often than not, providers recommended by your employer or health insurer have few or no appointments.