Talking about mental health isn’t easy — but that’s starting to change.
More employers are investing in mental health programs, increasing access to care, and helping to decrease stigma in the process. Governments are beginning to approach mental health as a public health issue. Celebrities like Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson, and Lady Gaga (among many others) are coming forward about their mental health journeys to raise awareness. The tides are turning.
Still, a staggering 44 million U.S. adults live with mental health challenges, and yet nearly 60% don’t receive treatment. Access is certainly part of the picture, but stigma is often an equally powerful barrier. We may fear judgment from friends, coworkers, even family.
The more we talk about mental health, the less sting the stigma bears. Every story we tell, every question we ask, every time we reach out for help — it all makes a difference.
While the cultural conversation about mental health is shifting, there’s still so much most of us don’t know.
That’s why we asked you, our readers, for your most pressing questions about mental health.
Make your mental wellness priority #1 today by checking in with your Talkspace therapist.
Sources
“Only 44% of adults — and less than 20% of children and adolescents — living with diagnosable mental health disorders receive necessary treatment.”
Mental Health Myths and Facts MentalHealth.gov, 2017.
“Research shows that 70-90% of people who seek proper treatment for their mental health challenges report a significant reduction in symptoms.”
15 Mental Health Facts You Should Know, DworakPeck.USC.edu, 2017.
“When left untreated, very serious. In fact, mental health and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide.”
10 Facts on Mental Health — Fact 2, WHO.int
“Mental health is influenced by our biochemistry, social interactions, environment, and lifestyle.”
10 Facts on Mental Health — Fact 4, WHO.int
“No — only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a mental illness.”
Mental Health Myths and Facts MentalHealth.gov, 2017.
The cost of mental health issues hit $221 billion in 2014, making it the single most expensive medical condition in the U.S. nationwide.
Behavioral Health, Fixing a System in Crisis. ModernHealthcare.com, 2019.
“Yes. Studies show that going to therapy can decrease the number of work hours missed work over a 7-day period by 50%.”
The Effect of Messaging Therapy for Depression and Anxiety on Employee Productivity, Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 2019.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
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