Pasadena, California Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Pasadena, California

Just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, California offers a picturesque and affordable lifestyle for people who want to be near all the lights and action of L.A. without dealing with as many of that city’s headaches (such as traffic jams and elevated housing prices).

Pasadena is a famous city in its own right, namely for the Rose Bowl Stadium and the 1964 Beach Boys hit “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena.” Some modern TV shows such as “The Big Bang Theory” have been filmed in the city, furthering Pasadena as a household name throughout the United States.

However, even year-round warmth and sunshine, a seemingly endless array of restaurants and entertainment options, and lower housing prices than many other parts of Los Angeles County cannot stem mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Fortunately, Pasadena has a wealth of treatment options within its city limits as well as neighboring communities such as Burbank and West Hollywood.

Poverty and Mental Illness in Pasadena, California

As of July 2017, Pasadena had 142,647 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While Pasadena’s annual median income level is $73,029, nearly 16% of Pasadena residents live in poverty. This is significantly higher than the U.S. average of 12.3%, and somewhat lower than the California average of 19%. Unfortunately, California has the highest poverty rate in the United States.

Poverty and mental illness have a multifaceted relationship, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). People who live in poverty often experience more severe symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Mental illness does not discriminate depending upon one’s income level; the day-to-day tasks of life can and do worsen symptoms among people from all social and economic classes. However, people in poverty often struggle to obtain or maintain food, affordable housing, and appropriate healthcare. Such struggles combined with a mental illness can make it much more difficult for someone to comply with treatment even when it is offered.

Poverty also makes it more probable that a person will experience a serious mental illness, according to SAMHSA. It is also worth noting that everyone — regardless of educational or socioeconomic background — has an increased risk of eventually living in poverty once symptoms of a mental illness are present.

Mental Health Statistics for Pasadena, California

According to a report from the American Psychological Association, the entire state of California has 11,000 active psychologists — the largest number in the United States. Generally, a large number of active psychologists and other mental health professionals indicate that mental illness is prevalent throughout that state; this is the case for California.

According to SAMHSA’s California Behavioral Health Barometer for 2015, the state has mental illness prevalence rates that are close to the national average. California’s percentage of major depressive episodes among children ages 12-17 in 2013-14 was 11.5% — only half a percentage point higher than the U.S. average of 11% for the same period. The national and state averages for serious mental illnesses among adults for the same period showed a similar trend at 3.8% and 4.2%, respectively.

Mental Health Resources for Pasadena, California

A SAMHSA online search engine lists eight facilities in Pasadena that offer inpatient and outpatient mental health services for children and adults. Pasadena also has 16 facilities that focus on substance abuse treatment.

It appears some Pasadena residents may also visit neighboring cities such as Altadena (approximately one mile away) and Glendale (approximately five miles away) for their mental health treatment. SAMSHA lists an additional mental health treatment option in Altadena and five additional choices in Glendale. There are also hundreds of choices in Los Angeles, El Monte, Duarte, Monrovia, Lynnwood, North Hollywood, Covina, Van Nuys, and other communities within a six-to-15-mile radius of Pasadena.

Some of the inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services available in Pasadena and other parts of Los Angeles County offer low-cost or free treatment to people with low income and/or no insurance. It is always worth asking for payment options, especially when visiting a center in which multiple counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists work.

Challenges of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Pasadena, California

This website is dedicated to helping people in Pasadena, California and every other U.S. city find the best mental health treatment possible.

While your employer or health insurer likely has a referral service, you are likely to end up frustrated after hours of completing rather personal forms. More often than not, providers recommended by your employer or health insurer have few or no appointments.