With a vast number of businesses in the area, San Jose is home to many growing families that have unique mental health needs. Adults are not the only ones who suffer from mental illnesses. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 422,000 children in the state of California suffer from a mental illness that affects their daily life. Unfortunately, around 39 percent of students who are 14 and older dropped out of high school while dealing with these illnesses. As a result, San Jose has a strong group of therapists specifically trained in child counseling.
The community also has the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Program that is geared towards youth between 16 and 25 years of age. These young adults are often required to make decisions about employment, housing, and finances they are simply unprepared to make. The TAY Program provides mentoring and strategies to help these individuals make informed decisions about their futures.
The county realized that many veterans return home to San Jose without an available support system. Whether because of stigma or lack of knowledge about the resources available, veterans experience trauma and hardship upon returning home. Therefore, the community created the Veterans Outreach Project for those who need it. This program offers support and education to those returning from the Armed Forces who suffer from depression, nightmares, panic attacks, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veterans Outreach Project is available for all who served, regardless of experience or discharge status.
Mental illness is not rare. NAMI states that around 1,175,000 California adults live with a serious mental illness. The most common mental illness that adults seek treatment for is depression. Depression is not simply occasional sadness. It is an extended period of extreme despair that can interfere with the normal life of sufferers. There are even different types of depression including postpartum depression, major depressive disorder, and seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. For those who are suffering from depression, finding a qualified therapist in their area is the first step on the road to recovery.
When searching for a therapist, ask yourself some important questions. Do you want to pick a conveniently located office? Do you have a preference for a male or female therapist? Is there a specific type of treatment you’re looking for? Once you answer these questions, you’ll be able to pick a therapist you are comfortable around, making your recovery easier. In addition, Numerous health insurance packages include mental health in their coverage plans, and many therapists in the community accept different health insurance plans. Check with TherapyTribe to see which therapists are in your coverage network.
Community members should always take mental health wellness just as seriously as physical health wellness. However, mental health issues do not discriminate. Sufferers are young or old, from any ethnicity or cultural group, and from any socioeconomic group. The good news is there are services and therapists throughout the community who are always available to help those in need.