It’s Not Okay to NOT Be Able To Talk About Not Being Okay
We all experience sadness, loneliness, and stress in our lives. But what happens when those feelings become too overwhelming or too much to handle? That’s when counseling services can be helpful. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to counseling services due to lack of resources or insurance coverage. This can create dangerous circumstances and lead to some very serious consequences.
The Dangers of Not Having Access to Counseling Services
The dangers of not having access to counseling services can be serious and even deadly. Without the help that counselors provide, individuals may feel isolated and without support from a trained professional. This could lead to severe depression and other mental health issues such as anxiety or PTSD. Additionally, if an individual is already struggling with mental health issues, not having access to counseling could lead them further down a dark path where they don’t feel like there is any hope for their situation.
Furthermore, not having access to counseling puts people at risk of self-harm or suicide attempts because they don’t have anyone they can talk to or get help from in times of crisis. Unfortunately, this risk is especially high among teens who are more likely than adults to attempt suicide due to the lack of coping skills they may possess when faced with tough situations.
Having Access Matters
Having access to counseling services is important because it provides them with an outlet for discussing their problems without judgment or fear of reprisal from friends or family members who may be unaware of the situation at hand. Talking openly about one’s struggles can help an individual gain perspective on the issue at hand and come up with solutions without feeling overwhelmed by the problem itself. Additionally, counselors are highly trained professionals who are able to provide guidance and advice on how best to cope with difficult emotions or situations that one might be facing in life.
Mental Health Resources Are Often Unaffordable
Unfortunately, many of the services that are available are incredibly expensive and out of reach for those who need them most. The average counseling session can cost anywhere from $50-$200, and this is without insurance coverage. Even if you do have insurance that covers mental health services, there may be certain restrictions such as visit limits or pre-authorization requirements that make it difficult or impossible to receive the help you need. Without access to these resources, people may feel isolated in their struggles and unable to find a way out of their situation.
There Is Hope
Though it can often seem overwhelming, there are plenty of options for those who don’t have access to counseling services through insurance or other means. Online therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years and can provide a convenient way for anyone with an internet connection to get the help they need. There are also numerous organizations dedicated to providing free or low-cost counseling services in order to ensure everyone has access to the care they deserve. There are even apps available that offer self-guided courses on various topics related to mental health and well-being at no cost whatsoever! Finally, with the flip in the labor market, employers are starting to shift the way they structure their benefits program to include coverage for (and even free access to) mental health services.
The Value of Support Networks
It’s important not only to seek out professional help when needed but also build a strong support network of family, friends, and colleagues who can provide encouragement and understanding during difficult times. Having someone you can talk openly with about your feelings and experiences can make all the difference when it comes to managing mental health issues. Additionally, having access to online communities where people share their stories can be incredibly validating and inspiring for those who feel alone in their struggles.
Having access to counseling services is essential it in order employees to feel supported during times of crisis or overwhelming emotions so that they don’t end up facing negative consequences such as self-harm or suicide attempts. If you don’t have insurance benefits that cover the things impacting your life—like medical care—you don’t have benefits at all! It’s not okay to NOT Be Able To Talk About Not Being Okay—so make sure you get connected with a counselor if you ever need one!
The problem is that too many people clog mental health services by using them unnecessarily. Moody teenagers are taken to mental health clinics to be “diagnosed” with bipolar disorder. Adults go to therapists and tell them they want to be diagnosed with autism because they have all the symptoms they looked up on the internet. Parents take their children to psychologists and demand they test them for ADHD. Meanwhile those, especially the lower income who tend not to have insurance, have to wait months to get an appointment with a psychiatrist or a therapist, often even if they are in a true crisis. The truly mentally ill are often poor, homeless, in prison, and unable to access care. And yet I hear the advice, “Even if you don’t think you need therapy, it can help.” Advertising therapy for everyone is what makes it inaccessible for those who really need it. Convincing everyone that everything is a “disorder” is adding to the problem. Mild anxiety is not a mental illness. Grief is not a mental illness. Stress during a divorce is not a mental illness. Insurance should not have to pay for people to deal with these issues. This is why mental health care has become so expensive and inaccessible to the truly mentally ill and it needs to stop.
Thank you for taking the time to comment on this blog post – we appreciate your insight. We agree that mental health services should be easily accessible and affordable, especially those who are suffering from severe mental illness. But it’s important to note that counseling can still help anyone with emotional or psychological issues, even if they don’t suffer from a severe mental illness. Often the issue lies with insurance providers rather than a lack of care professionals, so it’s important to advocate for better coverage when possible, to remove the roadblocks to care for all who need it. Thank you again for your thoughtful comment!