Charleston at the Heart of West Virginia

Charleston sits at the heart of West Virginia, the Capital, once known for its vast coal industry, is now known for being one of the poorest states in the union. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a steady decline of the coal industry in West Virginia, where market forces sent jobs elsewhere.

This kind of decline over a short period of time can have drastic effects on the mental health of a community. As people who can leave move, communities become smaller and less able to provide for themselves.  

With no surprise, as this decline happens, we see a steady increase in Substance use and mental health issues.

Mental Health Prevalence

• Approximately 25 percent of adults in West Virginia experience a mental illness in a given year, exceeding the national average. (Mental Health America, 2024).
• Rates of serious mental illness are also higher than average in rural counties in West Virginia (Mental Health America, 2024).
• West Virginia reports higher-than-average rates of frequent mental distress, defined as 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month (CDC BRFSS, 2022).

Substance Use

• West Virginia has ranked first in the nation for drug overdose death rates for multiple consecutive years (CDC, 2018–2023).
• In 2022, West Virginia recorded approximately 80 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, more than three times the national average (CDC, 2023).
• Emergency department visits for opioid-related events increased sharply between 2005 and 2017, paralleling the decline of coal employment (WV DHHR, 2023).

Access to Quality Care

Poverty rates have steadily increased, which can contribute to mental health distress. Child poverty rates exceed national averages in West Virginia, creating higher rates of adverse childhood experiences. As utility costs continue to rise across the nation, this continues to squeeze individuals who are living paycheck to paycheck. 

As we acknowledge this problem, we also acknowledge the lack of access to quality mental health and substance use treatment. West Virginia has one of the lowest mental health provider-to-population ratios in the United States, reflecting persistent shortages of licensed mental health professionals, particularly in rural and Appalachian regions (Mental Health America, 2024).

Residents frequently experience:

• Long wait times for outpatient mental health services
  
• Limited access to specialty care, including psychiatry and higher levels of care
  
• Transportation barriers, especially for individuals without reliable vehicles or public transit access

These barriers contribute to delayed treatment and increased reliance on emergency departments for mental health crises (Mental Health America, 2024; West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 2023).

Christian Counseling Associates

Christian Counseling Associates (CCA) has offices throughout West Virginia, including St. Albans and Charleston, West Virginia. At CCA, we work within the Kanawha region to provide counseling that is both Christian and clinically excellent. Our licensed counselors support individuals, couples, and families facing any number of issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and substance use concerns.

We serve the area through nearby locations, including:

• St. Albans CCA – 777 Mallory Lane N, St. Albans, WV 25177-1679 
  
• Charleston CCA – 1418 Kanawha Blvd E Charleston, WV 25301-3002

The history of Charleston, West Virginia, is long but not forgotten. With the support of faith-based organizations, Charleston can be provided the necessary support to help community members heal from mental health issues and continue to make West Virginia strong.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Drug overdose deaths.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: Mental distress.
• Mental Health America. (2024). The state of mental health in America.
• West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. (2023). Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services.