Mental Health Treatment Barriers in America

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20% of American adults have experienced a mental health issue at one point in time. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 5% of Americans suffer from a serious mental illness like schizophrenia. A staggering 12% of sufferers are currently living without any form of therapy, medication, or diagnosis due to any number of outside factors.

The first barrier is the cost of treatment. An average 60-minute therapy session will run you anywhere from $65 to $250 if you are covered by insurance or not. The more severe the diagnosis, the higher the cost, as the heavier diagnoses carry heavier financial burdens over time. For example, those suffering from major depression could see themselves spending upwards of $10,000 per year.

Social stigmas also push individuals away from receiving the treatment that they require. Feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment often dissuade those affected, fearing for how others will perceive them and the state of their relationships with others.

Another obstacle is a lack of diversity in the therapy space. Minority populations only represent 16% of psychologists, even though these communities make up nearly 40% of America’s population. In turn, therapy requires verbal communication, and non-English speakers could have trouble seeking out providers who speak their language fluently. This could lead to delayed treatment and misdiagnoses.

For more information regarding mental health care and how to set yourself up for success, please see the accompanying guide provided by AnswerSuite.


Guide created by AnswerSuite, visit their website for more treatment data

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