An Overview of Mental Health in Union City, California
Tucked into the busy San Francisco Bay area near Silicon Valley, is Union City, California. Approximately 75,000 people make their home in the 19.3 square miles of the city proper. While the area is known for its beautiful weather, residents also enjoy convenient public transportation options and plentiful outdoor activities. The school system serving Union City is highly regarded as an excellent place for children to learn.
Union City, California boasts a diverse population, even by Golden State standards. The largest racial group is Asian (54 percent), followed by White (20.2 percent), Latino (22.9 percent), and Filipino (20 percent). The remainder of the population is a blend of Asian Indian, Chinese, African American, and other races. Almost half the residents (46.2 percent) were born outside the United States, as compared to 27 percent of Californians in general.
Economically, Union City fares better than some other areas of the state. Unemployment runs consistently lower than the average for California. The median household income for families in Union City is just over $98,000 per year, which is significantly higher than that of the state as a whole ($67,739). About half the adults in the city have a college degree.
Community Health Needs of Union City, California
In 2016, Washington Hospital Healthcare System published a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) as part of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The report, which included Union City in the covered area, identified some specific needs related to mental health services in the community. Of the top seven identified priorities, behavioral health was number two.
The definition of behavioral health used in the CHNA included mental health and substance abuse needs. The study specifically noted these issues related to behavioral health.
- The heavy traffic flowing into hospital emergency rooms from mental health crises is a burden on the healthcare system. For Union City specifically, the rate of ER visits for mental illnesses is 397.8 per 100,000 residents in the population.
- While most respondents to the survey questions did not see mental health conditions as an illness per se, they did cite a shortage of providers as a significant challenge for the community.
- Many residents indicated that they would not know where to find information on mental health services or how to contact for this type of help.
- Of those respondents who had been to the emergency room for a mental health condition, many reported poor follow up care after release and unclear discharge instructions. This was especially true when the patient was a teenager.
- Residents reported that providers often did not accept their insurance, which was a barrier to accessing care.
Mental Health Resources Available in Union City, California
Those seeking help to maintain stable mental health can reach out to any of several available providers in Union City.
- Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services (ACBHCS) provides assistance with housing, substance abuse, and mental health counseling.
- Bay Area Community Services (BACS) serves the elderly, adolescents, and the homeless.
- Family Paths offers mental health services with a specialization in adolescent and family
- La Familia provides a full spectrum of outpatient care, social services, and substance abuse treatment.
- Second Chance Addiction Recovery walks clients through the healing process from intake to case management.
- Union City Youth & Family Services works with teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 years, providing counseling, crisis de-escalation, case management, and more.
Finding Professional Help in Union City, California
If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental health condition, it’s critical to find a counselor or therapist that you are comfortable with. After all, the client/professional relationship requires a great deal of trust if it is to be a productive partnership. E-Counseling.com makes the search easier by providing an online directory of professionals in the area. You’ll find a list of providers with a photo, credentials, and any specialty areas listed for each one.
Even better, each professional has provided a personal statement of how he or she approaches the therapeutic relationship. You can review all this information and use it to make an informed decision. You can’t have too much information when deciding who you want to work with as you begin your journey to a healthier mental state.
