Ideas for Change
Season 2: Uncovering & Overcoming Hidden Barriers to Mental Health Care
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Mental Health Care as a Part of Preventative Care
Insurance should cover regular mental health checkups like physical care to reduce stigma and barriers.
Breaking the stigmas of receiving mental health care can start with our healthcare systems. This includes medical insurance and providers. Much like a routine check up with a PCP or dentist, insurance covers these services and encourages patients to visit and receive this care semiannually. If we can include mental health care checkups as a part of a person's regular preventative care maintenance, it slowly removes barriers to care and normalizes mental health as a vital part of healthcare. For me, the challenge has always been to navigate a complex healthcare and insurance system to see what is covered, and what types of referrals are needed. And even then, sometimes therapy is not partially/fully covered. By removing these bureaucratic elements and red tape (in healthcare and insurance systems), people will be open to receiving mental health care regularly.
Using Public Influence to Normalize Mental Health
Public figures sharing their mental health struggles could normalize seeking help and reduce stigma.
One idea I think could help overcome hidden barriers to mental health care is is to have more public figures, such as celebrities, athletes, musicians, and influencers, openly talk about their own mental health journeys. People often look up to these individuals and see them as successful, confident, and seemingly “put together.” When someone they admire openly shares that they have struggled with anxiety, depression, burnout, or other mental health challenges, people could realize that struggling with mental health is normal; it does not make someone "lame", and it does not make someone weak or unsuccessful. I think this kind of visibility from figures people look up to and respect could help normalize mental health conversations and make them feel less alone. Hearing someone they admire say that they needed support or therapy could make it feel more acceptable for others to do the same. This is not to say that public figures should be expected to provide mental health advice. But sharing their personal experiences and showing that asking for help is a normal part of taking care of yourself. I believe seeing more people openly discuss mental health could help reduce the stigma and make seeking support feel less intimidating.
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