As mental health issues arise, seeking help is normal
How often have you been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?
How often have you been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
How often have you been bothered by feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge?
How often have you been bothered by not being able to stop or control worrying?
If you have experienced any of those feelings recently or over the past year, you are not alone.
According to survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2019, 11% of adults had experienced symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.
However, mental health issues have been increasing, especially since the beginning of the pandemic.
The use of mental health services from 2020 to 2021 has also increased.
U.S. adults who received or did not receive mental health care over a period of 4 weeks
August 2020 compared to February 2021
People are seeking help.
From January to September 2020,
315,220 people took the anxiety screen (a 93% increase from 2019)
534,784 people took the depression screen
(a 62% increase from 2019)
Luckily, teletherapy has increased accessibility to mental health services
Teletherapy can be done over the phone or via video calling. It connects licensed mental health professionals with clients, despite his/her location. As long as you are within the state of the licensed professional, you could live hundreds of miles away and still receive treatment.
Telehealth is shown to be as effective as in-person psychotherapy. Also, retention rates are higher.
Needed Counseling or Therapy But Did Not Get It
Took Prescription Medication for Mental Health and/or Received Counseling or Therapy
Reasons for not seeking help
People think they can handle the problem without treatment
People do not know where to go for mental health services
A mental health professional can help you:
- create plans to solve problems
- face challenges with a stronger mindset
- change negative behaviors and thought patterns
- think about the way your mindset affects your emotions
- heal past traumas
- create and plan for goals
- develop your self-confidence
Benefits of positive mental health
Positive mental health has many benefits. It helps you realize your full potential and allows you to cope with stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Other benefits include being able to focus and work productively and make meaningful contributions to your community.
"A psychologist can help when you can't do it on your own."
American Psychological Association
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Mental Health—Household Pulse Survey—COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health.htm
- National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). National Health Interview Survey Early Release Program. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/ERmentalhealth-508.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Mental Health Care in the Last 4 Weeks. https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Mental-Health-Care-in-the-Last-4-Weeks/yni7-er2q
- Mental Health America. (2021). The State of Mental Health in America. Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
- Weisberg, S. (2021). 5 Benefits of Using Teletherapy. Jewish Family Service. https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/blog/5-benefits-of-using-teletherapy-for-mental-health-counseling
- Zara Greenbaum. (2020). How well is telepsychology working? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/07/cover-telepsychology
- John Elflein. (2020). Not receiving mental health services reasons among U.S. 2019. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/252303/reasons-for-us-adults-not-receiving-mental-health-services/
- Mental Health America. (n.d.). Get Professional Help If You Need It. Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/get-professional-help-if-you-need-it
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020). What Is Mental Health? https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
- American Psychological Association. (2008). For a healthy mind and body...talk to a psychologist. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/talk
- Amercian Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA Psychologist Locator. https://locator.apa.org
- Sussex Directories. (n.d.). Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
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