Hemet, California Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Hemet, California

Located an hour from Palm Springs, Hemet, California is a small desert town with a stunning backdrop of Mt San Jacinto on its east side. It’s relatively quiet and the town’s 85,160 residents enjoy an affordable cost of living. Nearby Diamond Valley Lake and Simpson Park provide ample fishing and other leisure opportunities.

This inland Southern California town used to be known as something of a retirement community, but demographics have been changing in recent years.

Statewide, mental illness is one of top chronic illnesses that Californians face. Specific to Hemet, here are some challenges residents in the area may face.

• Crime: Crime has worsened in Hemet in recent years. The overall crime rate in Hemet is 52% higher than the national average. Anyone who has been a victim of a crime could benefit from mental health services to help them cope with post-traumatic stress, fear and other resulting issues.
• Poverty: At 2%, the percentage of Hemet residents living in poverty is higher than that of the state and the country. Many of these individuals and families could benefit from mental health services, but it’s likely to be difficult for them to access the care they need.
• Disability: 5% of residents under age 65 live with a disability. Coping with, managing and caring for disabilities can also weigh on mental health.
• Chronic Illness: A community health needs assessment (CHNA) of Riverside County identified chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma as being top health concerns. As with any chronic illness, there may be mental health issues that arise.
• Unemployment: The unemployment rate in Hemet is higher than in the surrounding county and state. The lack of available jobs and pressure to make ends meet can lead to anxiety, stress and other negative health effects.
• Obesity: The CHNA also highlighted obesity as an area of concern in the community. Obesity can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues.
• Substance Abuse and Addiction: Riverside County is, unfortunately, known for being part of the pipeline of meth dealers smuggling drugs from Mexico into the US, and many Hemet residents are struggling with abuse or addiction to meth. Mental health services may be able to help addicts and their family and friends as they deal with the devastating effects of addiction.

The Challenge of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Hemet

Many Californians do not receive the help they need due to a shortage of mental health resources. This shortage is projected to get worse, with the state lacking as many as 1,848 psychiatrists by 2025. In addition to these shortfalls, many Hemet residents may face other obstacles to receiving care.

The 15.1% of residents without health insurance and the 23.2% living in poverty may find mental health care options to be prohibitively expensive. Also, there is a large Spanish-speaking population living in Hemet. This segment of the population may find it difficult to obtain care in their native language.

These residents should look into community groups and non-profits. These organizations may be able to offer free or discounted services that address the issues of affordability and language barriers. Alternative forms of treatment that occur over text and video may also be more affordable and give residents access to a wider network of care.

Mental Health Resources in Hemet

Even with these state-wide shortages, there are mental health services available to Hemet residents. There’s a range of clinical psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapists and expressive arts therapists who serve the area.

These counselors bring a respectful, empathic and compassionate approach to working with individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds. They have experience heling clients through depression, isolation, anxiety, self-esteem issues, trauma, loss, relationship issues, parenting issues, difficulties adjusting to life circumstances and challenges, grief and cancer and chronic illness management.

The therapists use a variety of modalities including mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Supportive Models, Brief Solution Focused and Expressive Arts. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best path forward.

Find a Therapist in Hemet

During this difficult time, we’re here to help. Our therapist directory contains care providers with experience helping individuals and families in the Hemet area. No matter what you’re going through, there’s a kind and non-judgmental therapist who can help.