World Mental Health Day
By Ashni Shetty
Today is World Mental Health Day. First established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, World Mental Health Day has helped bring mental health to the forefront. Over the years, there has been a growing push to destigmatize mental health, revamp education in the mental health sector, and grow awareness on a global scale. There is a lot to be proud of with the progress we have made collectively; however, there are systemic barriers that have deterred individuals from seeking help:
Financial Barriers: There are federal laws in place for insurance companies to cover physical health and mental health equally — under the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, large group health plans are required to provide equal coverage for physical and mental health illnesses. However, insurance companies have set more stringent requirements for mental health diagnoses, perpetuating disparities between the two. This issue is reflected by a study conducted by the Health Care Cost Institute, where out-of-pocket spending on inpatient mental health grew 13 times faster than all in patient care for the five years ending in 2017.
Wait times: There are oftentimes long wait times to see a mental health provider. As per the Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) Study, children may have to wait for an extended period of 2.5 years before receiving mental health treatment. Meanwhile, adults are seen based on urgency; however, some patients may still have to wait two weeks for severe mental illnesses such as psychoses, mood disorders, and an episode of mania.
Accessibility: The lack of transportation, the associated stigma with mental illness, and lack of information are few of the reasons individuals are unable to seek help. Limited accessibility is indicated by results of the National Comorbidity study, where 47% of participants with anxiety, mood, or substance disorder could not afford to seek help.
It is tough and oftentimes deeply disappointing to grapple with the inherent flaws of our healthcare system. However, a solution that has shown to surmount the aforementioned barriers has been virtual care. Since the pandemic, virtual care has become a rising, more popular option for many. Virtual appointments have accessibility from any place, little to no waiting times, and reduced disruption to personal and work schedules. With the potential that telehealth has seemed to show in the last few years, we can only hope that this improves overall mental health and paves way for many other possibilities and solutions.
There are also many ways for us to take a more proactive stance on our wellbeing. Our minds deserve to be treated with the utmost priority and care on a continual, daily basis. It is easy to become consumed with work, school, and the never ending cycle of responsibilities. Giving yourself a break oftentimes feels counterproductive, but having those moments to step back, wind-down, and engage in activities that make you feel happy is a fundamental way to keep you going! Every individual has their own way of defining their optimal well-being. What is that for you? Here are a few people who mention what matters most to them:
“Connection - I am learning that maintaining one’s mental health is a daily practice, and one of many things that helps me is connection with others -sharing what is going well and what isn’t.” - Tejal Shah
“I like to plan something small with friends each week. It gives me something to look forward to and pushes me through especially rough weeks.” - Serena Dhaon
“I love writing out my thoughts and reminding myself of my “why.” Taking a step out of my bubble and reminding myself of how far I’ve come and what’s waiting for me at the end of this long journey is what motivates me to keep going!” - Shreeya Sawant
“For my well being, I enjoy being outside, whether that be for a walk or for 5 minutes to breathe in the fresh air. A quick second alone to bring me back to the present moment and remind me that everything will work itself out.” - Leeann Xoubi
Don’t forget to check on your friends and family. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself. Invest in your mental health, it’s the most important way to be there for yourself.