SearchTherapy is a broad term to describe a type of mental health treatment that involves talking and using certain techniques to ease or alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health complications. There are several kinds of therapy that could help individuals recover and can improve their quality of life. While there are many proven benefits of attending therapy, many people still avoid it. Why is this the case?
Therapy Facts & Figures
Most individuals in the United States who have depression are between ages 18 and 49. Less than half of the people with a mental health disorder such as this receive mental illness treatment like therapy for their condition. This could be for reasons related to beliefs, confidentiality, pride, transportation problems, financial issues, or insurance complications. In fact, only about 50% of people who struggle with mental health issues have health insurance.
Why Do People Not Seek Therapy?
There are both practical and psychological barriers that might stop someone from seeking out therapy for themselves. Here are a few reasons why people may avoid going to therapy:
- They have a lack of knowledge of the types of therapy
- The cost of treatment/financial barriers
- There is a of transportation/distance from therapy
- They don’t want others to find out about it
- They have concerns about confidentiality
- They don’t think it would help them
- They don’t have time/they’re too busy
- They have suicidal ideations
- They don’t know where to look for therapy
- They don’t think their condition warrants therapy
- They think they could handle it on their own
- They are concerned about its effect on their job
- They don’t think they need therapy
- There is a stigmatization surrounding therapy
Even though many people avoid going to therapy for valid reasons, there are many benefits that come from participating in this type of mental health treatment. Some of the reasons above may even be myths that need to be publicly debunked in order to get more people in therapy.
Benefits of Receiving Mental Health Treatment
While cost is a barrier that stops people from going to therapy, these types of mental health services are actually covered by many different insurance plans. It also is not as expensive as one may believe. If you are curious about attending therapy, talk to your insurance provider, your doctor, or a public mental health professional about your options. For those who don’t have a way to get to therapy, or are nervous about seeing someone in person, there are now many virtual and digital therapy options available. Additionally, everything that is said in therapy is always completely confidential unless it risks the life of the patient or someone else. Starting therapy can also give individuals options to other types of mental health treatments, like antidepressant medications. Overall, therapy is very effective in helping people manage their thoughts, their feelings, and any mental health conditions they may have.
Taking A Step Toward Therapy
If you can acknowledge that you might benefit from therapy, what’s stopping you from trying it? It is time to break down the many stigmas surrounding therapy and those who attend therapy. In order to do so, it is our job to inform more individuals about the benefits of therapy and the different types that are suited toward everyone’s individual needs.
For more information on therapy and why someone you care about might be refusing to go, get advice from our team of mental health treatment specialists by calling 267.209.7313.
