APA poll: Most Americans have sought mental health treatment but cost, insurance stil...( Nearly half of Americans have had someo...),Health

Nearly half of Americans have had someone in their household seek mental health treatment, but most still perceive cost and lack of insurance coverage as barriers according to national poll results released today by the American Psychological Association (APA). The poll also shows that stigma about seeking mental health treatment is increasingly less of a barrier to getting treatment.

Nearly half (48%) of American households have had someone see a mental health professional and nine out of 10 Americans say they are likely to consult or recommend a mental health professional if they or a family member are experiencing a problem.

Those polled say lack of insurance coverage (87%) and concerns about the cost of treatment (81%) are important reasons not to seek help from a mental health professional. More and more Americans (85%) think health insurance should cover mental health services, up from 79% when asked the same question in December 2000. And access to those mental health services is very important to 97% of those polled, although only 70% say they feel they have adequate access to mental health care.

The poll shows that only 30% of Americans say they would be concerned about other people finding out if they saw a mental health professional and only 20% believe there is any stigma associated with therapy. Nearly half (47%) say that the stigma surrounding mental health services has decreased in recent years, and the media gets the most credit for that (35%), although society in general (25%) seems to be more accepting as well.

"We've made progress in people's attitudes toward getting mental health treatment, or seeking it for their loved ones," said Russ Newman, PhD, JD, APA's executive director for professional practice. "But cost, lack of insurance, and access still can be barriers for people in getting the help they need."

Lack of access can range from health care plans whose criteria make it nearly impossible to ha
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Contact: Luana Bossolo
lbossolo@apa.org
202-336-5899
American Psychological Association Practice Directorate
13-May-2004

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