As someone hoping to become a therapist, a growing concern is the increasing difficulty of scheduling and affording mental health care. I firmly believe in the universal benefits of therapy, regardless of whether an individual is actively struggling with mental health issues. Therapy can serve as a proactive measure for overall well-being, and individuals may discover its value even if they initially believe they don’t need it.
Though, the challenges in accessing mental health care are becoming more prevalent. This includes the difficulty of scheduling appointments with qualified therapists and the financial strain associated with each session, often costing a considerable amount. Even on college campuses where mental health services like CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) are available, there is a noticeable surge in demand. Unfortunately, this increased demand has overwhelmed existing resources, leaving many college students who bravely acknowledge their need for help in a position where they might not receive the support they require.
In addressing this issue, it raises questions about the capacity and resources of institutions like CAPS. Should they consider hiring more personnel to manage the growing demand for mental health services? Furthermore, what broader systemic changes can be implemented to ensure that everyone seeking help is not only acknowledged but also receives the necessary assistance?
This concern highlights the need to make mental health care more accessible and calls for changes in the system to meet the rising demand. It urges us to carefully evaluate the current state of mental health services and engage in conversations about possible solutions. This could involve hiring more staff, strengthening support networks, or adjusting policies to ensure that mental health care is within reach and affordable for everyone.
This was a great blog to read. I agree that everyone whether they struggle with their mental health or not should go to therapy. Therapy as you said is a proactive measure of overall well-being and is just as essential as taking vitamins. I know therapy for me has been hugely beneficial however getting into a therapist took months, almost even a year, not only that but the cost is rather high. These issues when it comes to mental health care are something that definitely needs attention brought to them. A change within the health care system is not a want at this point but a need and I think the questions you asked are great ways to start. It might be a long time until this issue is fixed but little change is better than no change.
Very well said! I completely agree with all of this as a psych major 🙂 Everyone can benefit from therapy, but having access to therapy is a difficult thing; especially in college campuses, which is probably the place you’d need therapy the most. I hope one day we can make strives to get people the help they need.
This was interesting. I am a psych major so this seems accurate and makes total sense to me. Therapy isn’t a bad thing and I have learned so much from taking my classes and experience. Therapy shouldn’t be a stereotype making you seem ‘weak’ in some sort, as it is perfectly normal and a good thing to have.