A new study of the U.S. health care system finds that mental health is taking a backseat to physical health in the United States. Approximately 75% of respondents believe that mental health problems are “somewhat worse” or worse than physical illnesses, although 81% recognize that the incidence of mental illness has increased over the past five years. He said the condition was identified as “pretty bad” and was being treated.
West Health, a national nonprofit organization focused on aging and health care, partnered with Gallup to conduct a poll of approximately 2,300 U.S. adults in February. The results were announced on Wednesday.
Approximately 5% of respondents believe that mental health issues are treated “somewhat well” or “quite well,” and 15% believe that mental and physical health issues are treated equally. That's what I think.
The older a respondent is, the more likely they are to believe that mental health issues are treated poorly.
- 18～29: 66%
- 30～49: 76%
- 50～64: 78%
- 65 years of age or older: 82%
“Many Americans suffer from mental and behavioral health conditions that often go unaddressed in the treatment and management of other medical conditions,” West Health President Timothy Rush said in a news release. Stated. “As we age, healthcare systems, healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients themselves need to pay as much attention to their mental health as they do their physical health. The two go hand in hand. It is important for overall health, successful aging, and quality of life.”
Respondents were also asked if they had suffered from a mental health condition themselves within the past year. Those who answered 'no' were more likely to think their mental health was treated worse than their physical health – 79% compared with 72% of those who had experienced mental illness.
The U.S. health care system's report card also performs poorly, with multiple respondents giving it a D for its response to mental health conditions.
- answer: 1%
- B: 8%
- Child: 27%
- D: 32%
- centre: twenty five%
People recognize that mental health conditions are on the rise in the United States
A majority of respondents said the number of Americans with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety has increased slightly or significantly compared to five years ago, respectively. They were 39% and 42%.
Women and people aged 50 to 64 were most likely to say the incidence had increased, while men and people aged 30 to 49 were most likely to say the incidence had remained the same. Only 4% of all respondents said the incidence had decreased.
Mental illness remains stigmatized
The topic of mental illness may no longer be the taboo it was half a century ago, but 70% of survey respondents said society views people with mental health conditions in a “very negative” or “somewhat negative” way. I feel that I am viewed in a negative way. Only 6% said society did not view them negatively at all.
Respondents who reported having suffered from a mental health disorder within the past year were more likely to say society has negative opinions of people like them.
Adults 65 and older were the most likely to think people frowned upon mental illness, while young adults 18 to 29 were most likely to think society viewed mental illness more positively. .
Treatment costs are a major barrier to mental health care
Mental health treatment costs are too high. This was cited as the number one factor preventing respondents from seeking treatment for such conditions. Difficulty finding a provider was her second most common reason. Respondents were able to select multiple reasons. Other options included being able to cope with the condition without treatment, shame or embarrassment, and not believing that treatment would help.
People between the ages of 18 and 29 and those who had recently suffered from a mental illness were most likely to say they were unable to pay for treatment. People 65 and older were the least likely to say shame or embarrassment would prevent them from seeking treatment for a mental or emotional health condition. Respondents who had not recently experienced a mental illness were slightly more likely to say they could cope with such a condition without treatment.
“To effectively meet the behavioral health needs of Americans and their families through various stages of life, health care providers, caregivers, policy makers, payers, and patients themselves must work together to address barriers to care.” ,” Rush said in a news release. “A significant number of people remain unable to access the care they need, and the situation is likely to worsen as the population ages.
“Effective approaches, such as person-centered, integrated models of behavioral health that deliver services through clinics and community-based organizations, help people get the care they need, when and where they need it. We need to make the most of it.”
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