Therapy – it’s an activity whose mere mention makes some people uncomfortable. It’s sometimes referred to as a place that only people with “problems” go to, and having problems or showing weakness is something that is seriously frowned upon in today’s society. It also comes with some financial costs and time restraints that make getting proper emotional support difficult.
Problem One: Stigma
Stigma is harmful. It’s something that can prevent large numbers of people from doing something, simply by telling the affected people that society will judge them and look down at them for doing said task.
Stigma generates fear while also preventing people from getting the help they need and must be stopped if society is to improve.
Another problem is that stigma primarily affects men more than women, as society has deemed that men have to appear tough and resilient their entire lives, without ever needing or accepting help. This stereotype is one of the major barriers that stop men from getting the emotional help that they need.
Problem Two: Cost
As with most things with life, the issue of not getting therapy can be boiled down to its cost. Goodtherapy.org provides a rough estimate for the out-of-pocket cost of therapy as $100-200 a session if the person doesn’t have insurance.
With insurance, that cost can drop to $50 or even less! However, some people’s insurance plans don’t cover mental health, so they have no choice but to go without.
Problem Three: Time
A lot of adults might find that they don’t have enough time to take care of their mental health. Understandably, things like school, work, and potentially taking care of kids seem to take priority.
While life does provide certain time constraints, this does not have to be the reality. Therapy is typically required for the treatment of mental illness, which will otherwise greatly impact day-to-day life and a person’s capability of balancing those priorities previously mentioned.
To conclude, there are multiple reasons why someone wouldn’t get the help they need, from a lack of available time to expensive costs, to even facing the stigma associated with seeing a therapist. Society must work towards removing these roadblocks, as people getting the help they need is one step closer to having a more productive and well-rounded society.
