Mental Health Accessibility and Promotion: Online Therapy
By Zoe Hart, BSW, Dr. Marina Heifetz - Editor
There is no question that since the COVID-19 pandemic, many efforts have been made to increase the accessibility of mental health care, and we see more and more people accessing the help they need. Research suggests that the pandemic, social isolation, and the option of online therapy practices have contributed to the overall rise in people recognizing the importance of caring for their mental health, and seeking out services. These efforts have been made at the organizational level, within communities, and in mental health policy.
We have seen this rise through factors such as online therapy, mental health promotion, and destigmatization efforts. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone who wants mental health care can get it in an affordable and timely manner.
Online Therapy: The Pros & Cons
It is apparent that the benefits and sustainability of online therapy have contributed to the increase overall of mental health services in North America, however, it is important to consider the pros and cons.
Pros:
Virtual therapy can help clients feel comfortable in their preferred setting.
There is a wider range of clinicians to choose from without location restraints.
Time & costs associated with transportation are eliminated.
Research suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for the treatment of various mental health concerns.
Cons:
The limiting of face-to-face interactions which some clients may find more beneficial.
The popularity and accessibility of online therapy can lead to longer waitlists.
May be more difficult for children and youth to engage productively online
According to statistics from 2023, 52% of adult Canadians indicated that they are struggling with their mental health and not getting the help they need. Levels of anxiety rose from 7% to 11% after the onset of the pandemic. In the last year, 15% of all Canadians have accessed mental health services, with an additional 6% who have not accessed it believing that they would benefit from mental health support.
Additionally, there was a rise in the number of people who talked to a mental health professional in person (57%) and virtually (51%). Comparatively in the United States, the number of young adults aged 18-34 who accessed mental health services rose from 12% in 2019 to 18.4% in 2022. The share of all adults seeking counseling rose from 9.5% to 12.6%. Specific to children and youth, an estimated 1.2 million in Canada were affected by mental illness in 2019, and less than 20% received access to treatment.
It is clear that overall in North America, the importance of accessible health care is becoming more recognized generally. This is reflected through additional factors such as workplace benefits that contribute to the overall rise in mental health service access; especially for families who are seeking support for their children. In other words, people are more often utilizing the insurance coverage that more and more workplaces provide for mental health care. The downside here is that we see people who may not have access to this coverage which is often contingent on full-time salaried positions.
Taking the step to reach out for support can be difficult, and the ways that organizations, support workers, mental health clinicians, and the general public respond to and make this process cohesive, non-judgemental, and smooth is vital to continue to promote mental health care for all.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (2019) additionally suggests that the key is advancing interventions within communities, workplaces and schools to cultivate positive mental health for all people with and without diagnoses. Additionally, there is a call for greater federal attention, investment, and involvement in mental health promotion to increase a greater understanding of and concrete action toward intersectional, cohesive, accessible, and equitable services.
The bottom line is that what works for some does not necessarily work for all; the most important thing is finding what works for you.
Sources:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.htm
https://www.mhrc.ca/key-facts-on-mental-health#:~:text=Those%20indicating%20feeling%20high%20anxiety,they%20should%20but%20are%20not.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/05/20/americans-spending-more-time-money-therapy/73697989007/
https://cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MHP-Summary-Report-FINAL-EN.pdf
https://www.verywellmind.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-therapy-2795225
https://www.verywellmind.com/online-therapy-com-review-5201886
https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CCPA-HESA-2022-Childrens-Health-Study-Submission-1.pdf
