Mental Health Service Gaps
What does this measure?
This indicator measures the self-reported reasons why residents of Orange County did not visit a mental health provider in the past year. The data is broken down by household income levels, from less than $25,000 to over $150,000. This helps to identify common barriers to accessing mental health care, such as cost, transportation, and time, and to show how these barriers vary among different economic groups.
Summary Statement
The data shows that the most common reason across all income levels for not visiting a mental health provider was that residents felt they didn't need to go. However, there are notable differences when it comes to financial and logistical barriers. Individuals in lower income brackets (especially those making between $25,000 and $49,000) were significantly more likely to cite lack of money, no transportation, and no time as reasons for not seeking care compared to higher-income residents. The percentage of people reporting no insurance as a barrier also decreases as income increases, highlighting how financial stability directly impacts access to mental healthcare.
Source