Therapists in Worcester, MA and Nearby Locations

Mental Health Resources in Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester is a city located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It’s around 40 miles to the west of Boston and is in the central part of the state. Because of the growth and expansion of Boston, in recent years Worcester has often been considered part of the Boston-Worcester-Providence metro. Worcester is known as the Heart of the Commonwealth because of its central location.

The city is founded on seven hills, and there are also several ponds and lakes in the area that make it popular among boaters and competitive rowers. Much of the commerce and the economy in Worcester is based on biotechnology and technology, and the city is home to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It’s also the site of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park, with companies including Abbvie. Top employers in the area include UMass Memorial Health Care, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Hanover Insurance.

Beyond the history, economy, and centralized location of Worcester, there are mental health resources available in the area as well, but people need to know how to find and connect with those resources.

Mental Health Concerns in Worcester

Even with a good economy and plenty of positives to life in Worcester, like any other city or town, some people struggle with issues, many of which are related to mental health and similar situations such as substance abuse. Not just in Worcester but in general, mental disorders are one of the most common causes of disability. Issues with mental health, particularly when they go untreated, cause problems in relationships and family life, employment problems, and increased suicide rates. A survey from UMass Memorial looking at the health issues most affecting Worcester residents found that experts who were interviewed described behavioral and mental health issues as a top priority and also a top health-related challenge.

Respondents to something called the CHA Public Service found that among the issues affecting community health, mental health problems were third in terms of significance. In particular, depression was cited as a pressing issue.

There was a community mental health assessment conducted in the spring of 2015 that assessed mental health issues and concerns in Worcester. According to that assessment, some of the most prominent challenges reported by residents include economic stress, exposure to trauma and violence, and substance use disorder. There was also a focus on the stigma of receiving mental health care as far as an obstacle to people receiving treatment.

Based on the results of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, 16 percent of residents in Worcester County said they had more than 15 days of poor mental health within a 30-day timeframe. That was higher than the state average, which was 11 percent.

These issues are similarly relevant among younger people. There was something called the Regional Youth Health Survey which was done in the Greater Worcester area during the 2013-2014 school year. According to this, almost one-fourth of the young people who responded to the research said they had signs of depression. Twelve percent reported having seriously contemplated suicide.

There is a higher rate of hospitalizations for mental disorders in the Worcester area. Worcester has a rate of 1,274 hospitalizations for mental health per 100,000 individuals. That’s 50 percent higher than the state average.

Worcester Mental Health Resources

Despite the statistics, which can seem somewhat grim, there are treatment resources available throughout the Worcester area. There are nonprofit organizations that provide treatment and other resources to people struggling with mental health disorders. There are also facilities, such as inpatient hospitals treatment centers, and private practice providers.

One example of a nonprofit in Worcester is called Open Sky. Open Sky was built through the affiliation of The Bridge and Alternatives Unlimited Inc.  They have tons of programs in the area, and they serve the needs of people with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, and brain injuries.