Mental illness is a major concern not only for the United States but for the whole world. Mental illness makes it hard for people to work with their full capabilities. This hindrance in their work because of mental illness accounts for more than a $1 trillion loss in global economic activity. While in recent years, there has been a rise in awareness and treatment of mental illness, still there are many obstacles that prevent patients from receiving treatment. 

The rise in telehealth is solving these issues very effectively. Telehealth is accessing healthcare online. In the case of mental health, you can talk to a professional therapist online. Telehealth deals with various obstacles successfully. It provides a patient best online therapy consultation and treatment. Consequently, in a way, telehealth is revolutionizing mental health care. In the blog below we have written about the role of telehealth in revolutionizing mental health care.

Obstacles and how telehealth is solving them

1. Stigma 

We are living in the 21st century but still stigma is one of the largest obstacles in mental health. People affected with mental health feel fear and shame in talking about mental health. Because of stigma many people never seek the help of therapists and other mental health professionals. This deteriorates their condition more. This sometimes leads to extreme steps like suicide or mental disbalance. However, telehealth is helping these patients very effectively. Actually, telehealth provides such people an option to access mental health care from their homes where they are alone. This way, they do not need to step out of their homes and physically go to some clinic. They can talk to a professional therapist online. Consequently, they do not need to tell anyone about their condition. Also, there is no fear of running into some known person while visiting your therapist.

2. Patients in remote areas

Telehealth is a boon for people who live in remote areas. These areas are away from the city and lack therapists and good doctors. They often do not have good transportation services. This makes it difficult for mental health patients to access mental health care. However, telehealth is making mental health accessible for these people. All they need is a network connection to get the best online therapy consultation. Using telehealth, any type of mental illness can be cured. 

3. Access to specialists

Often it happens that we do not find a particular specialist in the hospital we are getting treatment. Sometimes, we do not find the right specialist in the city also. The same goes with the requirement of mental health. Various mental illness needs particular specialists for treatment. Any common therapist cannot treat such illness. Therefore, patients need specialists. Telehealth provides easy access to such specialists Using telehealth, a specialist sitting thousands of miles away can be accessed easily. This not only saves time and money but also provides better care to patients.

Conclusion

Mental health is a major problem for a large population of the world. In fact, according to a report, the United States is going through a crisis in mental health. In the United States, about 55% of counties are void of psychiatrists, psychologists, or any other social worker. About 70% of people who needed substance use treatment in 2017, did not receive it. Consequently, the seriousness of mental health is increasing in the United States.

Therefore, treatment of mental illness is a necessity in present times. However, in many parts of the world, talking about mental illness is still taboo. Apart from that, there are many other obstacles like access to mental health care for people living in remote areas, access to particular specialists, etc. Telehealth is proved very effective in removing these obstacles. Using telehealth, patients can talk to a professional therapist online. Therefore, telehealth provides patients best online consultation therapy from the comfort of their homes. This removes barriers like stigma and other above-mentioned barriers.