“I don’t understand at all why society doesn’t want me to die of a physical health problem but seems happy for me to die of a mental health problem.”
This video was posted ahead of England’s parliamentary election, but it’s a perfectly appropriate concern to have even if you don’t call Great Britain home.
America’s mental health care system isn’t much better than England’s.
A 2013 congressional report found that 55% of U.S. counties have no practicing mental health providers. Not a single practicing psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, or social worker. But demand is so high — even in areas that have coverage — that people often still find themselves being turned away by providers with full client lists.
If you are lucky enough to live in an area with providers who will accept new patients, that care may still put a substantial dent in your wallet. The Affordable Care Act mandates that insurance companies offer the same amount of coverage for mental health and substance use disorders as they would for medical or surgical procedures. Unfortunately, companies are using loopholes to add limits that make it harder for patients to access care.
Everyone should have access to good medical care, and that includes mental health care.
If you believe mental health care should be taken just as seriously as physical health care, share this video.
