Mental health is a growing concern across the United States, and Arizona is no exception. Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2024 State of Mental Health in America report highlights alarming trends in the state’s mental health landscape. The rise in behavioral health issues and lack of access to care show that we need effective services now more than ever.
Arizona’s Mental Health Crisis Explained
According to the MHA report, Arizona ranks 50 out of 51—almost last—in the nation for mental health care overall. It faces significant challenges in addressing mental health needs, with many residents struggling to find timely support.
Similar reports from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) show that more than 1 in 5 adults in Arizona experience a mental health condition each year. Yet less than half of those individuals receive the treatment they need. This gap in care leaves many people suffering in silence because they cannot access the mental health care resources that could help them thrive.
Additionally, youth mental health is a growing concern, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among young people. Arizona’s youth face significant barriers to accessing the help they need, including long wait times, insufficient mental health professionals, and limited school-based mental health resources.
The Impact of Limited Access to Arizona Mental Health Services
The consequences of limited access to mental health services are far-reaching. When individuals do not have access to timely care, conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma can worsen, leading to an increase in substance abuse, self-harm, and even suicide. Untreated mental health issues also affect families, schools, workplaces, and communities. This creates a strain on resources and raises costs for society.
Rural areas in Arizona face more significant challenges. There are fewer providers, and people must travel longer distances for care. For many individuals in these areas, mental health services remain out of reach, exacerbating the disparities that already exist.
Bridging the Gap: The Need for Action
Increasing the availability of mental health professionals, ensuring services are covered by insurance and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health are crucial steps in addressing this growing crisis. Communities, policymakers, insurers and healthcare providers must unite to ensure everyone has access to the mental health support they need.
While there is still much work to be done, initiatives to expand mental health services are beginning to take shape. Our own expansion into Mesa, Peoria, and Tucson is just one small part of this effort to increase access to mental health care across the state.
By opening new clinics in these communities, we hope to contribute to the broader effort to ensure that more individuals can receive the care they need through therapy, medication management, or other mental health support.
What Our Arizona Mental Health Clinics Offer
Our new clinics in Mesa, Peoria, and Tucson provide a wide range of in-network services designed to meet the unique needs of Arizona residents. Some of the key offerings include:
- Therapeutic Support: Our therapists are trained in various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and more.
- Medication Management: Our board-certified psychiatrists will provide thoughtful and effective medication management for patients who may benefit from psychiatric medication.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): For patients struggling with treatment-resistant depression, our clinics offer TMS, a non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity, providing an alternative option when traditional treatments have not been effective.
- Family Therapy and Marriage Counseling: We understand the importance of strong family and marriage dynamics, so we offer tailored therapy to support families and couples in navigating challenges, improving communication, and strengthening relationships.
- Telehealth Options: We offer telehealth services for those unable to attend in-person sessions to ensure that quality care is accessible regardless of location.
Proven Success in Mental Health Treatment
At Family Care Center, we are committed to delivering exceptional mental health care, and our outcomes reflect this dedication. While the national benchmark for positive mental health outcomes is 52%, our comprehensive and integrated care model consistently achieves significantly higher results.
- When we treated people for depression using talk therapy alone, 77% experienced a significant decrease in their symptoms within six months.
- Our patients whose treatment plan included both therapy and medication management experienced even better results, with 92% reporting a significant decrease in their symptoms of depression within six months.
- Of the patients who participated in therapy, medication management, and TMS, 95% experienced a significant decrease in their depressive symptoms within six months.
Improving Arizona Mental Health Access
As we look to the future, improving mental health care access is crucial for all of Arizona. The need for more effective and accessible mental health services is urgent. With expanded in-network services, better mental health education, and greater investment in community resources, we can create lasting change for individuals and families throughout the state.
At Family Care Center, we’re committed to making this vision a reality. Whether you’re dealing with personal mental health challenges or supporting a loved one, our team is here to provide compassionate care and effective treatment to help you take that first step toward healing.
See us today at one of our convenient Arizona clinic locations, or make an appointment online.
1910 S Stapley Dr.
Ste 209
Mesa, AZ 85204
9000 W Thunderbird Rd
Ste 115
Peoria, AZ 85381
3501 E Speedway Blvd
Ste 351
Tucson, AZ 85719
Opening 4/21/25!
