Therapists in Margate, FL and Nearby Locations

An Overview of Mental Health in Margate, Florida

Like most of Florida, Margate is a haven for those who would rather trade in snowy winters for warm weather and sunshine all year long. The city is located in Broward County and has an estimated population of over 58,000 people. Although the city itself is relatively young since it was incorporated into the state of Florida in 1961, the median age of its current residents is at 43.9 years, which is higher than the national average. Notably, Margate is a culturally diverse city with large populations of both Hispanic and African-American residents. In addition, 36.5% of the overall population was born in a different country.

While sunny skies and diversity are certainly positive aspects of the city, Margate’s residents struggle in several specific ways:

• Economic Problems: The median household income in Margate is $43,782, and the per capita income in the city is $24,921. These statistics along with an 11.7% poverty rate reveal many people in the city struggle to make ends meet. In addition, the cost of living in Margate is due to expensive housing.
• Low Educational Attainment: Unfortunately, adults 25 or older in Margate have overall low graduation rates. Only 86.7% have a high school degree and 18.9% have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, Margate public schools have an average test score of 44% which is 11% lower than both the state and national average.
• High Uninsured Rates: The uninsured rate in Margate is at 20.7%, which is much higher than the national average. This is very problematic as individuals will have increased difficulty accessing mental and medical care. The rate of uninsured Americans is expected to rise with the recent repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
• Suicide Rate: The suicide rate in Broward County is at 93, and a total of 243 people in the county died by suicide in 2016. Although this rate is lower than the national level, suicide is still an issue in Margate and needs to be addressed.
• Substance Abuse: Drug and alcohol abuse continues to be a growing problem for youths and adults in Broward County. Alcohol use and binge drinking posed one of the largest concerns for patients in need of addiction treatment. The community also saw an increase in opioid deaths due to an increased presence of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl.

As residents of Margate face these issues, the mental health of those in the community needs to be a primary concern. In Broward County, 11.9% of adults report having had a bad mental health day for 14 or more days within 30 days, and 14.4% of adults claimed that poor mental or physical health kept them from doing usual activities for 14 days or more in the past 30 days. It is important residents are aware of where they can find resources to help them improve their overall mental health.

Divorce Rates in Margate, Florida

Margate, Florida has a very high divorce rate with 14.7% of adults being currently divorced. The rate is significantly worse for women than men with 17% of women and 12% of men being divorced.

Although divorce is commonplace in today’s culture, it is often very hard for married couples who are experiencing marital problems or for individuals who are trying to recover after a divorce has already taken place. It is not uncommon for individuals to struggle with depression after a divorce. In addition, those who deal with mental health problems like depression may experience more marital conflict which can result in a divorce.

For couples who want to avoid a divorce, a marriage counselor can be extremely helpful in assisting both individuals in learning how to address common issues in their marriage. For individuals who have already gone through a divorce, talking with a counselor can help with the healing process.