Valley Has Fewest Mental Illness Services in California; Largest Illness Rates

July 18, 2013 Updated Jul 18, 2013 at 6:21 PM PDT

New data suggests the Central Valley is lacking in mental health services, and once President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act goes into affect in 2014, there are concerns the problem could get worse.

More than 1 in 20 adults in the state are mentally ill. That number is even higher here in the Valley, and with not enough doctors to go around, people are struggling to get treatment.

Anna Allen is in great spirits, but she hasn't always been this way. Allen was diagnosed with depression, PTSD, and anxiety in 2008.

Allen says, "I suffered in silence for many years and then I got help."

For many people, help isn't always easy to find.

Blue Sky Wellness Center Executive Director, Jeff Gorski says, "Sometimes clients go waiting for services."

According to new research from the California Healthcare Foundation, the Central Valley has the fewest psychiatrists and mental health professionals in the state. The valley also leads in serious mental illness cases.

Madera County has the highest rate, with 7% of the adult population suffering.

Gorski says, "So what happens is you have to triage the top tier of the worst to serve, and you kind of move down from there."

Some fear this shortage will only deepen under the Affordable Health Care Act. Next year, 125,000 more people in the state will be eligible for services. But, there could also be more funding.

"Hopefully that money will go into training some new people," says Gorski.

Allen sought services at the Blue Sky Center. Now she works there. She says no one should have to wait for the help they need.

Allen says, "We definitely need more places out there because there are a lot of people who are suffering needlessly."

The report shows that about half of adults statewide suffering from mental illness have not received treatment.

Numbers also suggest mental illness rates appear to be correlated to poverty levels.

Source: http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/MH-Docs---AGR-216077591.html

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