The global scale of mental health issues is growing at an alarming rate. Sadly, qualified professionals available to treat these issues are drastically inept compared with the number who need help. The problem is that millions of people don’t get the assistance they need, and they suffer in silence.
Telehealth Is the Answer
Telehealth is changing the game and bringing options to those who otherwise wouldn’t have services available. Did you know that one in five people will deal with a mental health issue at some point in their life?
It’s estimated that there are about nine million people in this country who are neglecting their mental health needs because they don’t know where to turn. Other issues that can’t be ignored are lack of financial resources, which causes many people to turn to substance abuse to self-medicate.
Understanding the Anxiety Epidemic
The most common mental health disorder that people face is anxiety. The uncomfortable and overwhelming sensations cause people to feel like they’re dying, unable to leave their homes, or even drive a car. However, anxiety is a highly treatable condition with the proper intervention.
Thankfully, telehealth services are offering online anxiety medication and therapy to help people get back on track. By seeing a doctor in the comfort of your home, you can forget making long drives, waiting for services, and hoping to find someone to treat you. The internet bridges the divide and offers help to those who might have fallen under the radar.
Overcoming the Stigma and Fear of Seeking Treatment
If it were only the lack of professional help that was the issue, the stigma surrounding mental health is still alive and present. While there have been significant efforts to change things and move past the belief that those who need such intervention are unbalanced, much work needs to be done.
There is no shame in getting help for a mental illness, and the world is starting to understand that it can save lives. How many people have taken their life or lived miserable ones because they didn’t get the help they needed? Mental health education is the key to getting people engaged with this care and learning that your mind can get sick just like your heart or lungs is the key.
Those who don’t want to face the stigma find Telehealth to be a viable option. They don’t have to go to these special clinics and feel embarrassed or ashamed. They can talk to someone about what they’re feeling from the comforts of home. It’s helping to diminish the stigma attached to these services, allowing people who wouldn’t otherwise get help to receive treatment.
Did you know that only half of the people plagued by mental illness seek care? Some don’t believe that treatment will be effective, while others have a mental picture of lying on a couch and having someone hypnotizing them. These are both outdated theories as there are many medications to try that can be helpful, and most people don’t lie on a couch and talk about their troubles.
Telepsychology Works for Providers and Patients Alike
Many folks are surprised to find out that Telehealth has been around in some form since the 1990s. However, in the past few years, the realization of how important this service is to the masses has gained traction. Both psychiatrists and therapists can treat their patients from across the country right from the comfort of their office, yet the provider also isn’t exposed to illnesses or must leave their homes.
Delivering an entire session virtually means no long waits in a jammed-packed waiting room, which often exacerbates any anxiety issues. There’s no physical examination, no stacks of paperwork to fill out, and you can be done in minutes. Folks are more open to Telehealth instead of face-to-face interactions, especially regarding their mental health.
The Revolution in Mental Health Care
There’s no reason to suffer in silence anymore. Telehealth is bridging the divide between those who need services and don’t know where to turn and the doctors who are willing to help. It’s not only changing mental health but also the medical community too.