Mental Health Concerns Rising, but Confidence in Telehealth Increases as Well
Mental health concerns remain on the rise among Americans over the age of 18, especially those who are Black, young adults, over age 65, and LGBTQIA+, but more individuals now feel more comfortable seeking support and using telehealth-based interventions, according to new research from CVS Health and Morning Consult.
Findings in the research are based on a national survey of more than 2200 adults conducted in April. Interviews were conducted online, and data were weighted to approximate a target same of US adults based on gender, education level, age, race, and religion. The survey’s findings include:
- 59% of respondents said they have experienced concerns about either their own mental health or that of family and friends, a 9% increase from April 2020
- 53% of respondents agreed that hearing about the challenges of others made them more comfortable seeking out resources and care for themselves
- 56% said they believe society has become more comfortable engaging in mental health discussions; 58% said society in general has grown more accustomed to using digital tools to improve mental health, and 56% said society is more comfortable using telemedicine for therapy
“Despite the longstanding stigma and other challenges in mental health, there is a clear shift taking place through the power of technology,” CVS Health President and CEO Karen S. Lynch said in a news release.
The survey also identified populations reporting greater increases in mental health concerns. For example, 57% of respondents who identify as LGBTQIA+ expressed concerns about their own mental health, a rate 20% higher than other respondents. Meanwhile, the rate of those reporting mental health concerns increased by at least 10% for adults ages 18 to 34, adults ages over the age of 65, and Black survey respondents.
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