Who Goes To Therapy? Statistics And Research About Who Is Seeking Support

Although 22.8% of Americans experience mental illness each year, not all may be able to receive treatment.

Challenges relating to mental health are common, and those that seek support do so for a wide range of conditions and disorders. 

The prevalence of mental health challenges

According to a report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States experiences mental health conditions yearly. This means that 57.8 million people likely experience mental health concerns on a regular basis. NAMI’s report also broke down common conditions by their annual prevalence.

Annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults:

• Anxiety disorders: 19.1%
• Depression: 8.3%
• PTSD: 3.6%
• Bipolar disorder: 2.8%
• Borderline personality disorder: 1.4%
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder: 1.2%
• Schizophrenia: less than 1%

Who goes to therapy? Statistics and surveys

In 2019, the US Department of Health and Human Services conducted a National Health Interview Survey. This household survey focused on individuals seeking mental health treatment, as well as those being treated by prescription medication, therapy, or a combination of both. These statistics were divided into different demographics, including gender, age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and location. 

By gender

The survey found that 24.7% of women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) received any mental health treatment, compared to 13.4% of men. The survey also revealed that 20.6% of women took medication for their mental health in the past 12 months, but just 10.7% of men had made the same choice. In addition, 11.7% of women participated in counseling or therapy compared to just 7.2% of men.

By age

In 2019, 18.5% of adults aged 18-44 received mental health treatment, making them the group least likely to be treated. 

Additionally, 20.2% of people between 45-64 and 19.4% of adults aged 65 and above were treated for mental health. However, the percentage of people who participated in counseling or therapy decreased as age increased. 11.6% of those between 18-44 completed therapy or counseling, but 9.1% of people 45-64 and just 5.7% of people 65 and older received therapy. 

However, by 2021, adults between 18-44 became the most likely group to receive mental health treatment, a change many experts attribute to the stress of the pandemic. This age group likely experienced a great deal of upheaval during a time of their lives that’s often already filled with change and transition.

By race and ethnicity

Treatment for mental health occurs most often among non-Hispanic white adults. 23% of non-Hispanic white adults have received mental health treatment, compared to 13.6% of non-Hispanic black adults and 12.9% of Hispanic adults.

By socioeconomic status

Although people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to experience mental disorders, they are less likely to receive treatment. Research shows that two-thirds of psychologists rarely serve people in the lowest income bracket. 

Even in Germany, where a public healthcare system possibly makes to get healthcare easier, a 2017 study found that people with lower socioeconomic status were 4.1% less likely to be offered treatment than those with a moderate to high socioeconomic status.

By location

The urbanization of a person’s town also seems to play a part in their choice to seek treatment for their mental health. 21.5% of people in nonmetropolitan areas took medication or received counseling, 20.6% of people in medium or small metropolitan areas received treatment, and 17.9% of those in large metropolitan areas sought mental health treatment. 

The survey revealed another trend: as the level of urbanization decreased, the percentage of people who used medication to treat their mental health seemed to increase. In contrast, the percentage of people participating in therapy seemed to decrease. This is likely because those living in more rural areas had less way to counselors and therapy providers. People living in rural America typically have to travel twice as far to reach the nearest hospital and are twice as likely to lack broadband internet. 

Incarceration can also impact whether a person receives mental health treatment. 63% of those with mental conditions don’t receive treatment if they’re in a state or federal prison, and only 45% of those in local jails are able to receive treatment.

Barriers to seeking treatment

Surveys have shown that several people who experience mental health concerns may be unable to receive the treatment they need. This could be for different reasons, including the following:

• 27% of people didn’t know where they could receive services.
• 19% of people didn’t have time to receive treatment.
• 17% of adults could not afford treatment as their health insurance didn’t pay enough.

There are a number of reasons that may prevent a person from seeking treatment, including: 

Lack of insurance

10.8% of adults with mental health conditions have no health insurance, which can be a huge barrier to seeking treatment. Hispanic adults–one of the groups least likely to receive treatment–are also least likely to have health insurance. Almost 1 in 5 is uninsured. 

This lack of insurance can make it almost impossible to afford mental health treatment because the average cost of an hour-long therapy session is between $100 and $200 in the United States.

Lack of available professionals

Getting a mental health provider is another factor that may prevent people from getting treatment for their mental health. About 160 million Americans live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, which can make it difficult to schedule regular sessions with a therapist or counselor. 

Seeing a provider face-to-face may require driving over an hour one way, which can turn an hour-long therapy session into a half-day event. This can make therapy difficult or impossible way for people with time restrictions. 

Trouble finding a covered provider

Even when people live in an area with mental health professionals, it can sometimes be a challenge to find a provider within their insurance network. 30% of US adults with a mental illness didn’t receive treatment because their health insurance didn’t cover or pay enough for mental health services. In addition, one in four people may be unable to get a mental health provider within their network.

Stigmatization

Negative attitudes and perceptions about mental health conditions remain one barrier that is likely to prevent people from seeking mental health services. Some may be concerned about how friends and family will view them, while others may have a negative view of mental health conditions, making them avoid therapy at all costs. 

In one study that interviewed patients receiving mental health treatment, several participants tells that they felt isolated from their colleagues, community, and family because of their mental health condition. 

Navigating treatment barriers

Online therapy can be beneficial for people who want to participate in therapy but can’t find a way to do so. It is an option that can help mitigate several barriers preventing people from seeking treatment.

Meeting with an online therapist may be more affordable than an in-person therapist, and the ability to meet online mitigates common concerns. Online therapy may allow more people to receive the necessary treatment for their mental health conditions. In addition, online therapy may provide an easier way to treatment because it can offer more flexible therapy schedules.

A 2019 study looked at the effectiveness of online therapy in treating adult depression. Participants had been in online therapy for at least 90 days and were experiencing some level of depression. Research revealed that meeting with an online therapist significantly improved symptoms of depression, leading the authors to suggest that digital psychotherapy can be one way to reduce the barriers that prevent people from seeking treatment, ultimately benefiting their mental health.