This is one of the busiest generations in history. We now have longer working hours, endless family activities to deal with, Netflix and social media to consume every free minute left of the day. It’s no wonder that about one in five people suffers from a mental health condition. However, very few of us are willing to step up and seek help with our psychological problems. Here are five barriers that hold people back from seeking mental health treatment.
1. Finances constraints
Money plays a critical role in everything we use in our daily lives. It is accurate to assume that without money it would be impossible to survive in this economy.
However, therapy has been getting more expensive over the past few years. Very few people can afford to spend the little money they earn on counseling. Some would argue that there are more important things in life that therapy, but our mental wellbeing should be one of our top priorities if we want to lead a happier and fulfilling life.
The good news is that with just a little effort, you can escape the high fees that tradition face-to-face therapy costs and choose e-counseling which is cheaper and more convenient for our busy schedules.
2. Stigma and discrimination
Even for those that are lucky enough to afford countless sessions with a mental health professional, the stigma associated with mental health conditions is too much to bear for most people.
Most people are afraid of being discriminated against and will do anything to hide their mental health issues from the people around them. Many go so far as to avoid seeing a therapist and have to live with their mental health issues for many years.
The best way to avoid this stigma is to opt for therapy sessions that don’t involve face-to-face meetings. This means taking advantage of the thousands of online counselors that are ready to help you with your mental health issues.
Eliminates stigma and offers you a secure path to psychological help that is more secure and private.
3. Misleading beliefs about therapy
In many movies, a counselor is always referred to as a ‘shrink’, and very few protagonists go to a therapist for help.
Pop fiction and the media, in general, have fed us with so many lies about counseling and many people believe these myths to be true. Whether we believe it or not, therapy helps. Visiting a certified and experienced counselor is the best way to get rid of your mental issues and lead a happier and more balanced life.
4. Accessibility issues
It’s very difficult to think that there are many people who are willing to seek psychological help but are unable to access these services. There are many factors behind this. First and foremost, most therapists set up their offices in big towns and cities where there are many people who are willing and can afford their services. People in remote areas have a harder time locating a therapist since very few of them are willing to set up camp in remote areas where there are fewer business opportunities.
The solution to this is looking for an alternative to traditional counselors. E-counselling is the best alternative since it smashes the barrier of boundaries and allows you to access any therapist you want regardless of where you live in the world.
5. A lack of mental health education and awareness
Whenever a child breaks their arm, a doctor is the first thing that comes to mind. But whenever a child suffers from stress, trauma or any other mental disorder, not many people think of taking the child to a certified counselor.
Many people are unaware of the state of mental health problems in their country or where they can seek help when they or people close to them face psychological issues. If people don’t know that something is wrong, they can’t seek help. Which is why so many people living with mental disorders go untreated since they don’t know that they have a problem and there is someone who can help them
If you want to learn more about psychology and mental health, the internet offers a wide range of resources that will equip you with all the knowledge you need. It will tell you when you can handle things yourself and when you need professional help to help you regain balance in your life.
