Simplifying Mental Healthcare (Revisited)

It's hard to believe we’re already halfway through February, so I wanted to take a moment to reset and revisit a very necessary topic – prioritizing mental health as a part of overall wellness. ?

Last September, I wrote an article on simplifying mental healthcare , where I shared some of the many resources available to help kickstart your mental health journey while also recognizing the difficulty many individuals face when it comes to accessing treatment options.?

In this second newsletter edition of Simplifying Healthcare, let’s revisit some of these resources to help ease our path forward as we charge into the new year.?

The 411 on 988

One of the biggest developments last year in the mental health space was the national launch of Suicide and Crisis Hotline 988 .?While often identified as a significant step forward from a resource standpoint, the launch also sparked a necessary, healthy debate on its safety, resourcing, cultural competency and overall handling of crisis situations . ?

So how is the 988 Hotline holding up?

As of today, there are around 200 crisis centers across the country, and in the crisis line’s first five months, it has received over 1.7 million texts, calls and chats.?Wait times have been reduced from 3 minutes to 36 seconds and in the last month, the hotline saw a huge increase in demand (and federal funding) as more people became aware of this resource. ?

Although not a perfect solution to those experiencing mental health crises, having an easily accessible text and chat resource like 988 is a good first step in insuring individuals have a place to connect during difficult times.?Sometimes, a friendly ear from your family, friends, partners, or community leaders may be enough to get you through a tough time, but there is also great benefit to providing a judgment-free outlet and easy-access channel like 988 that is adequately staffed, equipped and federally funded for individuals needing help.

For my friends in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, there are also culturally sensitive and informed resources like the Native and Strong Lifeline , The Trevor Project , BlackLine , and the Trans Lifeline to address the very real needs of these communities. I encourage you to explore what feels right to you based on your lived experiences, but on the road to healing and improving mental health, awareness and knowing all that is available to you is a vital first step.?

Other Resources

In returning to the resources I outlined in last year’s article, I’ll quickly recap options that may be available for you to explore:

• Employer Benefits – If you haven’t already, I recommend connecting with your manager or HR teams ASAP to learn what benefits may be available through your employer. Current benefits vary but can typically include digital subscriptions, personal counseling and more. Larger organizations also typically have resource groups for employees to safely connect around their shared experiences and identities. Resources and benefits like these may not be top of mind during our daily routine, so they often become underutilized. I encourage you to learn about what is available and incorporate in your life to maximize your mental well-being. ??
• Insurance Covered Care – Similar to benefits offered by your employer, understand the mental health benefits covered by your health insurance. It is often best to reach out to your insurance company to fully understand the type and extent of mental health services covered under your plan and to determine who might be in your network.
• For those uninsured – Access to mental healthcare covered by insurance is, unfortunately, not a reality for many, so it’s important to understand your free-to-you-care options.?In many communities, local community health centers, free clinics and even churches can identify mental health services that are available at low or no cost. Additionally, many therapists also operate under a sliding scale payment model and are willing to work with patients according to individual financial needs.
• Student Care – As a mom of a college student, I always like to plug that most primary and post-secondary schools offer free counseling services for enrolled students. Many of our children are struggling now more than ever. Youth and student mental health is especially important to address if they don’t have their support networks close to them! Encourage your student to use the resources available.?Helping them understand the benefit of addressing mental health concerns while they are young will serve them throughout their lives.
• The Internet…? – Certainly not a tool for treatment or diagnosis, but the rise of healthcare communities and mental health-forward influencers on platforms like TikTok have helped combat stigma and provide spaces for people to authentically share their experiences. Sometimes, a short video in our feeds is all it takes to lift our spirits, change our outlooks, and better understand others’ perspectives.?

Looking Ahead + Final Thoughts?

If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that mental healthcare access and continued reforms are needed.?We should continue to push for policy changes, increased availability of telehealth access and increased funding for our schools.?It is my hope that industry leaders, providers and policymakers will seamlessly collaborate to increase access and deliver the best possible care outcomes; influencers and the general population will make their voices heard and help to further destigmatize mental health issues; and programs like 988 will continue receiving adequate federal and state funding. I am also eager to see what becomes available through the advent of additional technology or hybrid solutions.

In the meantime, prioritizing mental health isn’t easy, but it is a necessary and brave first step in our wellness journeys in a world that doesn’t always openly discuss these issues. Healing isn’t linear – and neither is the process it takes to discover the resources that work best for you. Mental health is health, and we all deserve the knowledge of knowing what care options are available to us and how to best access them.

Remember, you are never alone in your journeys. Know that help is available to you.

Until next month.??

- Ruth ???

Have an idea for a future topic or questions in the world of healthcare? I’d love to hear from you!