When health issues are mentioned, they often focus on physical health, leaving mental health, an equally crucial aspect of overall well-being, frequently overlooked. In LA’s low-income communities, mental health is even less accessible– with access to mental health care being a struggle for those who often need it most. In 2024, 35% of LA residents living below the poverty line reported suffering from mental health disorders, which is nearly double the rate of people living above the poverty line. LA is also no stranger to homelessness, where mental health is rarely ever addressed; in fact, 60% of the homeless population in LA faces mental health disorders, with many of them often being severe conditions. Further, 35% of individuals with a mental health condition report not receiving the necessary treatment for their condition, suggesting that significant barriers remain between having mental health disorders and receiving the care required to help them.

The cost of therapy in LA often ranges from $100-300 per session, which is a price that most low-income residents cannot afford. Although community clinics exist with sliding-scale services, they are often understaffed and overwhelmed by demand, leaving many potential patients waiting months for an appointment. 

Adding onto the mounting mental health crisis in many immigrant communities in LA, and for undocumented immigrants, there exists a stigma attached to mental health. For example, in Latino families, mental health is rarely ever brought up due to the negative impression associated with those who speak of it. With an already existing lack of accessible care, this stigma only exacerbates the issue by leaving people who may want to reach out silenced.

The crisis focusing on different age groups reveals even more underlying issues. For children and teens who may seek mental healthcare at schools, that care is essentially nonexistent due to school counselors often having to be responsible for more than 500 students each, perpetuating anxiety or depression that children and teens may suffer from. On the opposite side of the spectrum, adults having to provide for their families can be overwhelming. Often, many adults live paycheck to paycheck, and these financial pressures can make life feel unbearable, leaving mental health help off the table entirely as an option.

Luckily, several organizations strive to combat this issue; however, they have yet to be discovered by many low-income citizens. The People Concern, for example, is an initiative to reduce the stigma around mental health and support individuals by finding them the health they need. Even further, LA County has been taking measures through the LA County Mental Health hotline, connecting individuals who need it with crisis counseling and referrals. 

Still, there needs to be support against this issue; we can start making a difference by supporting organizations that provide care to these populations, volunteering, or even educating ourselves on the barriers people face. Mental health care overall should not be a privilege reserved for the few. By addressing these barriers and spreading awareness about them, we can allow everyone to heal.

References:

“Average Cost of Therapy in Los Angeles | Better Therapy LA.” Better Therapy LA | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles |

Doctor-Led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practice in Los Angeles CA. We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression and OCD Treatment with Supportive Services for Recovery., 22 Feb. 2024, bettertherapyla.com/average-cost-of-therapy-in-los-angeles/.

“COUNTY of LOS ANGELES – DEPARTMENT of MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT (MHSA) ANNUAL UPDATE FY 2022-23

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .” Lacounty.gov, 2024, file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/1120515_ExecutiveSummary-MHSAAnnualUpdateFY2022-23Final.pdf.

“Homeless Services.” The People Concern, www.thepeopleconcern.org/homeless-services/.

Housing and Health in Los Angeles County. 2015,

publichealth.lacounty.gov/ha/reports/LAHealthBrief2011/HousingHealth/SD_Housing_Fs.pdf.

Naslund, J. A., and D. Deng. “Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A New Frontier

for Digital Mental Health.” Ethics, Medicine and Public Health, vol. 19, Dec. 2021, p. 100719, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2021.100719.