Avondale, Arizona Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Avondale, Arizona

Avondale, Arizona, is located in Maricopa County in the southwest quadrant of the state to the west of Phoenix. This is a midsize city, home to 82,875 residents as of the 2016 United States Census. Just over 50 percent of the residents described themselves as Hispanic, 31.5 percent White alone, and 9.6 percent Black alone. The balance of the residents is a mix of other groups that comprise less than 5 percent of the population each. Most of those living in Avondale were born in the United States. Only 15.1 percent were born outside the country.

Economically, Avondale residents fare well compared to the state of Arizona as a whole. The median household income in 2016 was $58,404, somewhat higher than the state average of $53,558. The cost of living index in Avondale tends to be lower than the United States as a whole, 93.2 as compared to 100.

While the crime rate in Avondale has been on a steady decline since 2011, the crime index still sits at a point slightly higher than that of the United States overall, 287 per 100,000 in the population. The overwhelming majority of incidents involve thefts and similar property crimes.

Current State of Mental Health Services in Avondale, Arizona

While the city of Avondale is doing well, it does face some significant needs in terms of mental health services for its residents. In 2016, Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital published the comprehensive Maricopa County Coordinated Community Health Needs Assessment which identified some specific priorities.

• The availability of mental/behavioral health services was identified by participants as the most important health problem facing the community.
• Mental health issues were in the top ten reasons for visits to the emergency room, and they appeared prominently as a reason for hospital admissions.
• Substance abuse, which is a subcategory of mental and behavioral health, was a top concern for adults and teens alike. Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription medications were all cited as common drugs of choice. Adults and minors both reported a high rate of binge drinking among their acquaintances and themselves with the 30 days prior to responding to the survey.
• Adults reported an average of three days per month when they described their state of mental health as “not good”.
• Within Maricopa County, 17.2 percent of the population were uninsured, making it more difficult to access the mental health services that are present in the community. More than 1/3 of those who actually did receive mental health service reported paying out of pocket. This can be taken as a sign of how desperately the care was needed.
• Among the barriers to mental health services identified by the Community Health Needs Assessment were the expense, a lack of understanding of the system, and poor cultural competency on the part of healthcare professionals.

Family Life in Avondale, Arizona

Most households (77.1 percent) in Avondale are family homes. Another 10 percent of households are headed by unmarried partners. Of the individuals reporting a marital status on the 2016 census, 12 percent described themselves as divorced. Family stressors, such as relationship difficulties, addiction, financial stress, and others, are a primary driver of individuals to seek the help of a mental health professional.

Where to Find Help in Avondale, Arizona

A handful of providers offer assistance with mental and behavioral health challenges to people in Avondale.

• Catholic Charities Community Services: This organization offers social services and mental health to the homeless, victims of crime, veterans, refugees, and the community as a whole.
• Native American Health Center: Urban Native Americans can receive behavioral health services as well as primary health and dental care.
• Touchstone Behavioral Health: This agency offers a variety of mental and behavioral health services.
• Valle del Sol: This provider serves both children and adults with mental and behavioral health counseling and assistance.

If you or someone you love needs help in maintaining an optimal state of mental health, you may be searching for a competent professional who can help. The online directory offered by E-Counseling can help. You can find a list of providers in the area along with their credentials, level of experience, and any specialties. Each counselor or therapist also has a picture listed and a personally written statement about their approach to working with clients. All of this information can help you choose a professional that you’re comfortable with, which is important in such a personal relationship.