Let's Talk Equity In Mental Health Care
Current Healthcare System
There is a growing volume of needed mental health services.
Some Challenges of Mental Health Care:
- Health Care Law: Coverage gap where treatment is not available to some or high deductibles need to be met.
- Lack of Funding & Lack of Mental Health Professionals: According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, over 55 percent of U.S. counties, all rural, do not have a practicing psychiatrist, psychologists, or social workers.
- Growth of TeleMed: Slow in rural areas due to limitations of broadband and adequate equipment.
Why is equity important in healthcare?
Factors outside of a person's control, such as discrimination and lack of resources, can prevent them from achieving their best health.
Health inequities can include:
- Racial and ethnic discrimination
- Lack of access to quality education
- Income and wealth gaps
- Inadequate housing or lack of housing
- Unsafe environments
Accentus provides affordable and scalable mental health resources.
Ensuring cost does not determine the availability of mental health support.
Summary
Creating equity for mental health takes the contribution of individuals and organizations willing to help others have access to safe and non-judgmental healthcare that can genuinely make a difference.
Equity in mental health is something that takes time and effort to address.
By modeling and promoting health equity, individuals and organizations can improve healthcare for those living with health disparities.
We must work together to lift healthcare barriers whenever possible and to promote health equity.