An overwhelming majority of Americans want parity.
A large study found that almost 90% of Americans reported that mental health and non-mental health care were equally important to them in terms of their overall well-being.
At the same time nearly a third of those Americans surveyed felt that mental health care was inaccessible and 40% felt that it was something that people who needed it could not afford.
Considering your own health, do you think that mental health or physical health is more important, or are they equally important?
|
n= |
2020 |
|
Physical health is more important than mental health. |
6% |
|
Mental health is more important than physical health. |
4% |
|
They are equally important. |
89% |
Americans who were not insurance company executives apparently realize that parity has still not been implemented.
Which of the following best describes how you think the importance of mental health and physical health are treated in our current health care system?
|
n= |
2020 |
|
Physical health is treated as more important than mental health |
56% |
|
Mental health is treated as more important than physical health |
4% |
|
Physical and mental health are treated as equally important |
28% |
|
Not sure |
13% |
And in what I think is good news for those who are wrestling with problems of depression or bipolar, they don’t view mental health treatment in nearly as negative away as my patients sometimes fear.
Which of the following best reflects your opinion? Please select all that apply.
Seeing a mental health professional is…
|
n= |
2020 |
|
Something most people can’t afford |
43% |
|
A sign of strength |
38% |
|
Not accessible for most people |
31% |
|
Something people do not know where to find |
30% |
|
A last resort |
10% |
|
Ineffective |
5% |
|
A sign of weakness |
4% |
|
Not as good as seeing their minister, priest, or rabbi |
3% |
|
Not necessary because people should stand on their own |
2% |
|
None of these reflect my opinion |
19% |
Only 4% endorsed the idea that seeing a mental health professional is a sign of weakness as compared with 38% who felt it was a sign of strength.