Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA and Nearby Locations

Community Mental Health Information and Care Resources in Santa Rosa, California

Located 55 miles north of San Francisco and 100 miles west of Sacramento, Santa Rosa is the 28th most populous city in California. It has a population of 175,269 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2017. Its population grew by 4.4% since 2010. Santa Rosa is the county seat for Sonoma County, the world-famous wine-producing region known as California’s Wine Country.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the median household income in Santa Rosa is $62,705 and while pretty representative for the state of California, this number is significantly higher than the average of $55,322 for the United States. Yet, 12.2% of the city’s population lives below the poverty line. These individuals are often susceptible to persistent mental and behavioral health issues due to their inability to afford the appropriate care.

Another group that may be a victim of untreated mental illnesses and substance abuse are residents who do not have health insurance. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 12.6% of Santa Rosa’s population under 65 years of age is without health insurance. In comparison, 8.1% of California’s residents and 10.2% of all Americans do not have health coverage.

More on Mental Health in Santa Rosa, California

While Santa Rosa scores well when it comes to socioeconomic factors such as income and health insurance, mental health remains a top concern in this community. The CDC’s 500 Cities Project: Local Data for Better Health reports that 12.1% of Santa Rosa’s population over 18 years of age experienced poor mental health for 14 or more days in the past month. Poor mental health includes feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, and hopelessness. These conditions can impact all aspects of an individual’s life just as more serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Poor mental health can hinder everyday activities such as working a job or attending school, and it can impact negatively personal relationships and even one’s physical health.

The 2016 Sonoma County Community Health Needs Assessment recognized mental health as one of the top health needs in this community. The Assessment further identifies suicide and depression as two of the top mental health concerns. Sonoma County has a suicide rate of 12.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, a number indicating this community is at high risk when compared to the rate of 9.8 deaths per 100,000 residents on average for the state. When it comes to depression, 31.3% of Sonoma’s youth and 14.1% of the county’s Medicare members are suffering from depression.

In addition, access to mental health services and the stigma associated with seeking treatment were also identified as challenges for this community in the Assessment.

Mental Health Care Resources in Santa Rosa, California

Residents of Sonoma County have access to several resources providing a wide range of mental and behavioral health services.

Sonoma County Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Division offers numerous services including early intervention, prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental health and substance abuse patients. SCBH also has 24/7 crisis stabilization and detox services.

Santa Rosa Community Health Centers provide psychiatry and psychotherapy services, individual and group counseling and therapy sessions, case management, various educational classes, and substance abuse programs. The organization caters to patients of all ages and it has multiple locations around Santa Rosa.

The Importance of Finding a Mental Health Care Professional

Seeking help for a mental health condition is never easy due to the stigma associated with emotional and mental disorders. Yet it is very important to take mental health issues seriously and look for a therapist or counselor at the first signs of a problem. Many conditions can be treated or managed successfully and thus treatment can vastly improve the life of the patient.