Memphis is known for many things. It’s the storied home of Elvis, a prime destination for barbecue enthusiasts, and one of the liveliest jazz scenes in America. It’s also a historically Black community that’s filled with over 560,000 unique people. So many factors make this city a special place, but if you’re looking for mental health services in Memphis, you might feel like you’ve hit a dead end.
Indeed, many adults and adolescents throughout the U.S. struggle to find help with depression, anxiety, and other mental ailments. Memphis is no exception to this problem. Learn about the unique factors that may impact mental health in Memphis — and what you can do to find viable solutions.
Understanding Memphis’s Population
In order to understand the unique mental health challenges facing Memphians, you must understand Memphians themselves. The city is comprised of an incredibly diverse population. Some residents move to Memphis to attend school at one of the city’s many colleges. Others have called Memphis home since birth. About 64% of the populace is Black, though, indicating that race may be an intersecting factor in residents’ mental health.
How Race Affects Mental Health Care Access
According to research, only 13.6% of Black adults are able to access mental health treatment. This is a striking statistic in and of itself, but it’s even more alarming when compared to the statistics for white adults. The study reveals that 23% of white patients are able to access the same services. This illustrates the disparity that often stands between people of color and mental health care.
In a city like Memphis, this means that many residents may be unable to get care for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health concerns. Providers who offer telehealth have emerged to bridge the gap, though, and ensure that people throughout Tennessee — including Memphis — can see a psychiatric provider in a way that’s accessible and convenient.
Confronting the Stigma of Treatment
Even if you have access to mental health care in Memphis, it’s understandable that you might be hesitant to seek treatment. This is especially true if you haven’t sought treatment before or if you don’t know what to expect. Some research also suggests that seeking mental health care is often stigmatized — and this is true across nearly all races and demographics.
One study revealed that as many as 30.7% of participants hold stigmatized beliefs about depression, for example. It may take courage to overcome this stigma, address your struggles, and get the help that you need. If you’re looking for depression treatment in Memphis, though, this is the first step of the process.
Finding a Black Mental Health Provider in Memphis
It’s no secret that it’s often easier to connect with people who look like you. This fact is true in the context of mental health care, too. When seeking out mental health care, 60% of Black patients say that they would prefer to see a provider who is Black. This makes sense — when you’re talking to somebody of the same race, you don’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll understand your struggles.
Furthermore, studies confirm that Black patients often see better outcomes when they are treated by providers who share their race. Finding a Black mental health provider in Memphis can help you tackle post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder.
Unique Factors Impacting Mental Health in Memphis
In addition to the unique factors facing people of color who seek mental health treatment, there are several factors that impact all Memphians, including a high eviction rate and a high unemployment rate.
Evictions
Research suggests that tens of thousands of people are evicted every week in the U.S. Housing instability can cause homelessness, financial hardship, and a range of other issues that negatively impact individuals. Unsurprisingly, many people who are evicted from their homes report that they experience anxiety and depression that they didn’t have prior to the eviction.
One study takes on this issue and its impact on Memphis neighborhoods. The research considers the impact that evictions have on mental health — and why this problem is uniquely prevalent in Memphis. Memphians have been disproportionately affected by evictions, the study finds, leading to an alarming 20% of renters being evicted in a year. In addition to the obvious financial ramifications, these evictions often precede mental health struggles, too.
The study details the ways in which evictions, mental health, and race intersect to create a perfect storm in many Memphis communities. The authors conclude that policy changes are necessary to prevent the problem from worsening. If you are dealing with this issue in your own life, though, there are steps you can take to mitigate its impact. Meeting with a mental health practitioner in Memphis may help alleviate the stress you feel.
Unemployment
In addition to a high rate of evictions, Memphis also contends with high unemployment rates. Although some research indicates that it’s lower than other metropolitan areas of Tennessee, it’s still currently at a concerning 5.2%. Industries such as hospitality and food service have been particularly impacted by unemployment in recent years — and these sectors are a major component of the Memphis economy.
Research indicates that unemployment can be the cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental struggles. Research also shows that these symptoms may be more pronounced for people of color who are experiencing unemployment. This isn’t surprising — without a steady source of income, it’s easy to feel uncertain about your life and hopeless about the future.
If your mental health struggles seem to persist regardless of your employment status, though, it’s time to consider seeking treatment. Sometimes an event such as unemployment contributes to poor mental health while the underlying problem still remains. Looking for psychiatric care in Memphis can open the door to better mental health and a happier life. Your mental stability should not be dependent upon your job.
Mental Health Treatment Options in Memphis
Getting care for your mental health in Memphis shouldn’t be a struggle. If you’ve had difficulty finding a psychiatric provider or you’re not sure where to start, there are several options that can provide a path to treatment.
Talk Therapy
The American Psychiatric Association reports that three out of four talk therapy patients say therapy is beneficial. Indeed, there are many reasons why talk therapy in Memphis may be an effective part of your mental health care. Counseling can offer an array of benefits, including the following:
- Develop stronger coping skills
- Address the root of the problem
- Talk through daily events and feelings
- Learn how to deal with mental health struggles
These benefits make it a great tool for addressing mental health struggles and developing strategies for dealing with daily struggles. Still, some people find that talk therapy isn’t enough to fully overcome their mental health concerns. If you feel like a piece of the puzzle is still missing in your treatment, consider the benefits of medication.
Medication Management
Medication is another path of treatment that may offer solutions to mental health issues. Antidepressants, for example, offer a potent defense against common depressive symptoms such as hopelessness, sadness, and lack of motivation. There are several types of antidepressants that a mental health provider in Memphis might prescribe:
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Research suggests that antidepressants boast an efficacy rate as high as 60%. Treating depression in Memphis doesn’t have to be difficult. You can find a mental health professional who will help you navigate all of your options and find the one that’s best suited to your concerns. This includes other mental ailments such as anxiety and PTSD.
There are medications that can help conditions such as ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder, too. In fact, a psychiatric provider in Memphis can help you integrate medication management into your mental health plan for a range of issues. Other medication options include antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills. A psychiatric provider in Memphis will thoroughly assess your symptoms and collaborate with you closely in order to determine what kind of medication would be the most effective.
Helping Memphis Take Control of Mental Health
In a city as vibrant and diverse and Memphis, it’s essential to have accessible mental health care. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t always the case. Even if you do find a mental health care provider in Memphis, you might have difficulty booking an appointment. Furthermore, you may struggle to afford their appointment fee. Rose Behavioral Health strives to combat these problems by offering clients affordable and effective treatment options, including medication management.
Medication is an integral part of mental health care for many people in Memphis. If you’re looking for a treatment option that’s simple and effective, we can help you find the best solution. We offer telehealth appointments so that you have access to care no matter where you are in Tennessee, and our scheduling availability is highly flexible. Reach out to one of our providers for more information.
