Unmet needs in mental health

May 6, 2024

Many with depression did not talk to a professional in the last 12 months

We know that depression and anxiety rates are dramatically higher since the COVID pandemic. While telemedicine has increased access to virtual mental health visits, many still struggle to gain access to much-needed care. Researchers asked respondents a series of standardized questions to screen for depression and then asked about their access to mental health services. The survey was conducted in Spring, 2023, and published in Health Affairs Scholar.

Among adult respondents with commercial insurance, half (50%) who screened positive for severe depression and more than two-thirds (68%) with moderate depression were not seen over the previous 12 months by a professional. One in seven (17%) who screened positive for moderate depression and about one-third (31%) with severe depression said that they wanted mental health care but avoided it due to the costs. Those without insurance had even more unmet needs.

Implications for employers:

-        Mental health access remains a challenge, and many with severe symptoms fail to obtain care.

-        Even those with insurance often report avoiding care due to concerns about cost.

-        Employee assistance programs often offer some sessions without cost sharing and can be a valuable “on ramp” to care for members with mental health needs.

-        Employers can continue to insist that their carriers offer good network access to mental health care, and accurate directories so that members can find care when and where they need it.

-        Virtual mental health visits represent over half the virtual visits in all geographies, and virtual visits can help people gain convenient access to inclusive care.

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Tomorrow: Body scans not proven to increase longevity