If 60 million adults live with mental health conditions, then why do less than half of them receive treatment?
Because when people seek mental health care, they often find it impossible to access - especially when they need it the most. Those seeking support are instantly faced with a complex system, lengthy processes, and costly barriers.
For a large group of people who need immediate psychiatric support but don’t meet the criteria for emergency services or hospitalization, getting help can seem completely unattainable.
Mindful Care was created to meet that need head-on.
Here at Mindful Care, we’re committed to providing the instant and accessible mental health support that’s been long out of reach for so many. Let’s take a closer look at how we’re revolutionizing mental health treatment with our convenient, high-quality care.
The problem with psychiatric care
Long Waits
In 2022, a sample study found that the average wait time for an in-person appointment with a psychiatrist was a staggering 67 days. A telepsychiatry appointment wasn’t much better, with a wait of 43 days.
And those are just the 18% of doctors who had any availability at all. Over half weren’t even considering taking new patients.
For the everyday person who needs to see a psychiatrist, there might be hours of provider-searching and dozens of phone calls before they are ultimately told they have to wait several weeks to receive treatment.
People might visit an emergency room if they want immediate help, but their mental health concerns won’t be resolved there as easily as a broken leg or chest pains. If someone’s present condition doesn’t meet the hospital’s definition of an acute crisis, they’ll be sent home. They may receive a referral for outpatient care, but the wait time to see someone could be days - even weeks. And while the ER may have decided that they aren’t in immediate danger, even a few days can be critical when it comes to receiving mental health treatment.
In many cases, someone may have been successfully managing their mental health challenges for a long time; but suddenly find themselves out of medication. Maybe their doctor moved away, or they’re having difficulty getting an appointment with their regular office. This person then finds themselves facing impossible obstacles in obtaining a straightforward prescription refill. Being off of one’s regular medication can be dangerous, and can ultimately lead to an acute hospitalization that could have been easily prevented had the appropriate interventions been accessible.
For those with non-acute but no less crucial mental health concerns, same- and next-day psychiatric care is essential in providing widespread support and preventing more serious illness.
High Costs
We’ve heard how hard it is to find a psychiatrist who is taking new patients and doesn’t have a months-long waiting list. Now try finding an available prescriber who accepts your insurance.
In a nationwide survey, 56% of respondents with mental health conditions reported contacting a psychiatrist who said they did not take their insurance.
In comparison, survey participants were 70% more likely to have difficulty finding a mental health prescriber in-network than they were to have trouble obtaining an in-network specialist for any other medical conditions.
Even for individuals with adequate health coverage, the data shows that many are forced to go out-of-network for mental health care. When people receive treatment out-of-network, their out-of-pocket costs increase drastically.
One participant, whose healthcare plan had an out-of-network deductible of $8,000, reported depleting their savings and going into debt just from receiving necessary mental health care.
When the options are few and the costs are high, individuals with mental health concerns tend to seek less frequent treatments - or no treatments at all. People will only get the care they can afford, and it is vital that affordable mental health care be easy to find.
Poor Access
What’s one of the top reasons people don’t receive mental health services?
They don’t know where to go.
Not everyone knows what resources are available to them. 29% percent of Americans surveyed in a comprehensive 2018 study said that they wanted to seek treatment but ultimately did not; citing a lack of awareness of where and how to get help as one of the key reasons.
Many people look to resources online; but often still find that urgent and affordable mental healthcare is out of their reach. Having comprehensive services available from a universally accessible online location is key to meeting the need for urgent mental health services.
Mindful Care
Immediate
Sometimes mental health care can’t wait - and every minute helps.
That’s why we aim to offer same- and next-day appointments, so you can receive the immediate support that you need.
An entire team of multiple, qualified providers guarantees that you’ll find someone that fits into your busy schedule. Schedule online and promptly receive confirmation from our team within 24 hours.
We understand the importance of immediate, comprehensive, effective care without a long wait. Receive the support you need right away, and get immediate relief.
Accessible and Affordable
Besides timeliness, we know that the next largest barrier for those seeking mental health care is cost.
Mindful Care accepts most commercial health insurance plans, so you don’t need to worry about searching for an in-network provider on your own. If you don’t have insurance, our affordable pricing ensures that you can still receive the treatment you need.
In addition to in-person treatment, Mindful Care offers virtual visits. This provides a convenient and accessible option that eliminates the burden of travel and is perfect for those with busy schedules. Get the support you need, when you need it.
Effective
We’re committed to providing compassionate, focused care for immediate healing.
When you meet with a member of our team, you’ll be meeting with a high-quality provider. All of our licensed healthcare professionals work closely with world-class supervising physicians to ensure that you receive the best possible support.
Our expert care is highly impactful, with 92% of patients reporting a decrease in symptoms.
One of the biggest benefits of psychiatric urgent care is that it can provide early interventions to those who need them. And early interventions yield better outcomes when it comes to your mental health.
At Mindful Care, our mission is to create a world where immediate and accessible mental health care is standard practice, not just a novelty. We recognize that the way mental health services have been delivered in the past needs to be innovated and transformed in order to meet the needs of every individual. Mindful Care is committed to providing dedicated care, as we continue to expand our services; and light the way for a better future in mental health.
Sources
Mental Illness Awareness Week | NAMI
The Doctor is Out | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
