Did you know that the name “California” has its origins in a book of knightly romance published in 1510? The book described an island paradise near the Indies where the beautiful Queen Califia ruled over the country.
Moving on to a serious issue, mental health is a significant concern for residents of California. Despite the increasing availability of online psychiatric resources, many individuals with serious mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are still not receiving the treatment they need.
According to the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), as of 2021, nearly 1 in 5 adults in California were diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
However, the actual numbers could be higher as many individuals with these disorders remain undiagnosed due to factors such as stigma, lack of access to health care, or inability to recognize their symptoms.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. In California, 1,243,000 adults have a serious mental illness. More than half of Americans report that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health.
In February 2021, 46.1% of adults in California reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.
In a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it was revealed that around 2.2 million adults in California experienced a major depressive episode in 2022, which accounts for 8.8% of the state’s adult population.
The number was even higher for those suffering from anxiety disorders, with approximately 15.4% of the adult population or nearly 3.9 million individuals reporting anxiety. What’s more concerning is the rising prevalence of these disorders among children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 12.4% of children aged 3-17 years in California were diagnosed with anxiety in 2022, while approximately 8.5% were diagnosed with depression. These figures have nearly doubled in comparison to statistics from the early 2010s.
The data clearly illustrates a pressing need for a comprehensive, integrated mental health system that can effectively address these issues. Yet, as per the CHCF, in 2021, only about half of Californians with mental health needs received treatment.
This gap in care is a serious concern, as untreated mental health issues can lead to serious outcomes like self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide.
At Journey Telepsychiatry we believe that everyone has the potential to achieve optimum mental health and wellness. If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, give us a call or Book and appointment today. Let us help you unlock that potential with our compassionate approach to mental health care.
