Apr 13, 2022

The national mental health crisis has been a pressing issue for many years, but it has been exacerbated in recent years due to a variety of national events. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to a significant increase in the number of people seeking mental health services. Likewise, layoffs and increasing prices have added to already difficult times. In response, the federal government has announced a comprehensive strategy to address this crisis as part of the Unity Agenda.

At CHE Behavioral Health Services, we were excited and inspired to read about the current federal administration's focus on addressing the nation's mental health crisis as part of the unity agenda. To read the full Fact Sheet, please visit the Whitehouse.gov Fact Sheet on the Mental Health Crisis.

Addressing the Nation's Mental Health Crisis

As noted in the Fact Sheet, currently, two out of five adults report symptoms of anxiety and depression, and mental health issues in our youth are growing at rapid rates. Further, less than half of Americans with mental health conditions receive treatment, and the average delay from the onset of mental health symptoms to treatment is 11 years.

The current federal administration has announced its strategy to strengthen the mental health care system's capacity to provide care, efforts to connect more Americans with emotional support needs to trained professionals, and create a continuum of mental health care support.

The strategy includes a number of key components. One of the most significant is the expansion of access to mental health services. This includes increasing funding for community health centers, which provide mental health services to underserved communities and expanding telehealth services to make it easier for people to access mental health care remotely.

Another important aspect of the strategy is the focus on addressing the mental health needs of specific populations. This includes increasing support for veterans, who often face unique mental health challenges, and addressing the mental health needs of communities of color, which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

The strategy also includes a focus on early intervention and prevention. This includes increasing funding for research on mental health, as well as expanding programs that provide support to children and families.

Overall, the federal government's approach to tackling the national mental health crisis is comprehensive and well-rounded. It addresses the needs of specific populations, expands access to mental health services, and places a focus on early intervention and prevention. By implementing this strategy, the government can take important steps toward addressing the mental health needs of the nation and helping to alleviate the suffering caused by the pandemic.

It is important to note that this is a long-term strategy and that it will take time for the government to implement all of these initiatives, but it is a step in the right direction. The fact that the mental health crisis has been acknowledged by the government and that steps have been taken to address it is a sign that the government is taking the matter seriously and making efforts to improve the mental well-being of the nation.

CHE Joins Efforts for Accessible Mental Health Care

These efforts all align with CHE Behavioral Health's mission to increase access to mental health care across a continuum of settings and populations. CHE Behavioral Health has been providing mental health services for over 25 years and is a national, multispecialty clinical group dedicated to increasing access to online behavioral health services and reducing the stigma of mental health conditions.

The government Fact Sheet notes one of the main contributors to the national mental health crisis is a shortage of behavioral health providers, particularly in certain geographic locations across America. This has made it difficult for individuals to locate mental health services and providers where they are located. The Fact Sheet also calls out the strategy to expand access to online mental health care options.

Telehealth services have been shown in research to be effective and safe and further reduce barriers to care. The administration is working with Congress to ensure coverage of tele-behavioral health across insurance plans and for providers to be able to deliver telemedicine across state lines.

At CHE, in our efforts to increase access to care, we have developed state-of-the-art mental health services, connecting clients from anywhere in the state to psychology and psychiatry services experts who provide evidence-based online behavioral health services across the spectrum of mental health disorders. Online trauma therapy, depression therapy, and anxiety therapy at CHE are easy to schedule – either online through our provider scheduling page or by phone speaking to one of our trained client care coordinators. Sessions can be conducted from any private location with a one-click access to the video session at the time of the scheduled appointment.

The Fact Sheet also focuses on the mental well-being of our nation's frontline health workforce, noting that 75% of frontline healthcare workers report burnout and 50% say they lack adequate support to cope. To assist frontline health workers, the current administration will be signing bills that invest millions of dollars in addressing burnout and strengthening resiliency among healthcare workers.

At CHE, we were so pleased to read about the support efforts dedicated to our frontline health workers. Nurses and other frontline healthcare staff were actually the inspiration for CHE Behavioral Health Services to begin providing outpatient mental health services to the community 18 and older, as we were being asked to support the frontline workers in the various healthcare facilities where we were providing services to the residents. We saw firsthand both the heroism, strength, and resiliency of our healthcare colleagues, as well as the heartbreak and emotional and physical toll of the pandemic.

At CHE, we agree with the Fact Sheet's statement that it is "imperative that we promote better pathways to care and make it as easy as possible for all Americans with behavioral health needs including common and pervasive conditions like anxiety and depression – to access the resources that will improve their well-being.

We must fight to ensure that every American can access mental health and substance use disorder care through their insurance coverage while integrating mental health services and supports into a variety of other settings, online and in the community."

Combating the Mental Health Crisis with Telehealth Services

Telehealth services, such as online talk therapy and medication management, can play a critical role in addressing the mental health crisis in the United States. By making online trauma therapy, depression therapy, and anxiety therapy more accessible, convenient, and effective, telehealth services can help to improve the well-being of individuals and communities across the country.

Online psychological services are a form of virtual mental health care that allows individuals to access mental health services remotely, typically through the use of video conferencing technology. This type of care can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it an ideal solution for individuals living in rural or underserved areas where access to mental health services may be limited. Additionally, telehealth services can also provide a more comfortable and convenient experience for those who may feel stigmatized or anxious about seeking in-person care.

Telehealth services have been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health illnesses, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Research has shown that telehealth services can be just as effective as in-person therapy in treating these conditions, and in some cases, telehealth may even be preferred by patients. In addition, online services can be tailored to meet the needs of specific populations, such as military veterans or older adults, who may have unique mental health needs.

The current mental health crisis in the United States is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. The federal government's announced strategy to expand access to telehealth services is a crucial step in addressing this crisis. By making it easier for individuals to access mental health services, regardless of where they live or their ability to leave their homes, online talk therapy can help to bridge the gap in access to care and reduce the delay from the onset of symptoms to treatment.

Furthermore, telehealth services can also help to reduce the burden on the healthcare system by allowing online trauma therapists and other mental health professionals to reach more patients with less travel while also reducing the costs associated with in-person care. As a result, telehealth services can help to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of mental health care, which is especially important in light of the current mental health crisis.

CHE Behavioral Health Services is committed to increasing access to mental health services and reducing the stigma of mental health conditions, and we believe that talk therapy is an important tool in achieving these goals. We continue to invest in expanding and improving our telehealth services, as we believe it is a crucial component in addressing the national mental health crisis.

Comprehensive Mental Health Care

The federal government's comprehensive strategy to address the national mental health crisis is a step in the right direction toward increasing access to care and reducing the stigma of mental health conditions. CHE Behavioral Health Services supports the government's efforts and is committed to providing the highest quality of mental health services to our clients. Our online psychological services are an effective way to reach more individuals and provide access to mental health care in a convenient and safe manner.

We are proud to be part of the solution to the national mental health crisis and will continue to work towards providing the support and resources that our clients need to improve their well-being. We encourage anyone who is struggling with mental health issues to reach out to CHE Behavioral Health Services for support. With our professional and compassionate team of online trauma therapists and other mental health professionals, you can get the help you need to improve your mental health and live a fulfilling life.

For more information about mental illness and treatment options offered by CHE, please call 888-515-3834. We are ready to talk and ready to listen.