Columbia, South Carolina Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Columbia South Carolina

Finding mental health professionals, regardless of location, can be a challenge. Columbia, South Carolina is no exception. The amazing news is that a plethora of professional mental health counselors and therapists are available and ready to assist and guide you through your challenges, improving your overall mental health state.

Columbia, the capital and largest city in South Carolina, is a community steeped in history and boasts a rich environment full of historic and modern attractions. With a permanent population of just over 133,000, Columbia’s tourism is a driving force in the economy with nearly 7 million people touring the area each year to visit its many museums, historic sites and landmarks.

Mental Health Statistics for Columbia

A sense of well-being, peace of mind and optimism about the future are commonly associated with good mental health. Unfortunately, a fair number of adults, up to 45 percent in Richland County experience anxiety and depression. This is especially true for those making $25, 000 or less per year. High school age juveniles on the other hand are keeping with national “norms” for mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and suicide.

Columbia, and South Carolina in general are behind when it comes to access to mental health but have seen improvements in accessibility in recent years. Some of this comes from heightened awareness, especially amongst high school age children, about the benefits and drawbacks to easy access to mental health. Stigma surrounding a person’s mental health is still the leading contributor to why those in need don’t seek help, right behind lack of trust in a professional’s ability to help.

What Makes Columbia Different About Mental Health?

There are many deciding factors regarding mental health in Columbia, SC. Lack of career opportunities is among the highest suspected causes mental health issues. Besides that however, the citizenry cited that lack of access to mental health facilities and professionals was one of the most important contributing factors.

A large college age population also dominates the area, which may indicate why anxiety and depression is at the top of the list when it comes to public health concerns.

• 16% of the population said access was the primary reason why people didn’t get help with their mental health issues.
• Recent studies found a direct link between mental health and financial stress.
• The median income in Columbia, SC is $42,875
• Untreated mental illness is the leading cause of suicide in Columbia
• Academic stress at the University of South Carolina is said to be a contributing factor to Columbia’s unusually high percentage of anxiety and depression.

Divorce Rate in Columbia South Carolina

Columbia has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country at just 3.2 percent. However, such a low rate may be a result of the relatively low number of marriages in general. There are just 7 marriages per 1,000 people, perhaps a number reflective of the median age being just 28.2 years old.

The relatively low divorce rates may also stem from an over-abundance of marriage counselors to population ratio. With nearly 100 marriage counselors in Richland County, that means there’s a marriage counselor per every 1,300 people, 26,362 of which are college age and not married yet.

Mental Health Resources in Columbia, SC

There are currently almost 200 mental health professionals in Columbia South Carolina. That’s approximately one licensed therapist per 665 people in Richland County. While South Carolina is considered to have a high prevalence of mental health issues, the number of therapists available in Columbia is more than five times higher than the national minimum threshold.

Challenges of Aligning with a Mental Health Professional in Columbia

There are approximately 200 mental health providers serving Richland County and Columbia, and all of them are easily found on the Internet. High patient review ratings are the norm, and it’s rare to find find a poor review, making trust an issue. After all, because everyone is human and nobody can please everyone all of the time, how can you trust someone who seems a little too good to be true?

Deciding which mental health professional in Columbia South Carolina, short of actually sitting through an entire session or two, can be tough. Our e-counseling directory was designed specifically to help address the difficulty in finding a suitable counselor in Columbia. We offer mental health information and resources for residents of Columbia and Richland County who need or want the professional guidance and help of a trained and licensed therapist.