Psychology Essay: How Much Does It Cost to be Happy in America?

Abstract

This article criticizes the mental health care industry for its lack of affordable services and accessibility to its community. Much progress has been made since the development of behavioral therapy and psychological practices. At one point in history, only a small percentage of people had access to mental health care, and those who could afford it were not properly cared for. The reforms made in both the legal and medical aspects of mental health care have improved drastically over the century; however, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Although accessibility and affordability have improved over time, they are still not where they should be. Modern mental health care is not affordable or accessible to individuals who could benefit most from its services. Recent studies show that mental illness in America is most prevalent among uninsured females aged 18-25; the same group falling among the lower tax brackets. Access to proper mental health care should be seen as a necessity rather than a luxury. When the overall needs of the average can not be met, the responsible system must adapt and evolve to support those needs. By spreading awareness, including mental health care in all insurance plans, and creating more affordable options for those who are not insured, the American citizen has a better chance of finding the real “All-American Dream”: Health and happiness.  

The Mental Health Care industry has come a long way over the past few decades. Major technological advancements have aided tremendously in developing cures and coping mechanisms for a plethora of ailments that previous psychologists could not dream possible. Aside from the advancements in tech and research, Psychology has adapted to the times and has branched out into a more progressive ideology and approach. What once was a luxury for the wealthy European American citizen is now accessible to a range of cultures and backgrounds. Although we have improved so much from where we began, there are still many areas that require reform. 

As time passes, more and more individual’s become accepting of the concept of therapy and mental health care. Once revered as a pseudo-science, psychology is now gaining more respect and credibility in the field of science. Mental Health counseling is offered throughout a variety of workplace programs, public school systems, universities, and non-profit organizations. With the noticeable improvements in accessibility and affordability that have taken place over the last century, it is hard to believe we still have so far to go. The advancements made may be significant, but are they enough? Is mental health care truly affordable and accessible to the average American?

When answering this question, it is crucial to take note of three major factors: what group needs mental health care services the most, what is their average socioeconomic status, and what is the average cost of mental healthcare services in America? If the needs of the average can not be comfortably met, there is a flaw in the system and it is up to the system to change. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, persons aged 18-25 are at the highest risk of developing a mental illness. Within that same group, more females have been reported as having a mental illness than men (Bogusz, 2020). In 2017, The United States Census reported an average income of $60,000 for women who earned a bachelor's and only $32,825 for women without a B.A. Degree (Census.gov, 2020). That same year, the LBL Group reported the average behavioral health patient spent roughly $12,272 on mental health treatment; more than ⅓ of the average income for young women without a B.A Degree (Handbrough, 2020). Studies by the Health System Tracker demonstrates that mental illness is more prevalent in uninsured individuals than those who can afford insurance, dramatically increasing treatment costs for uninsured patients (Kamal, 2021). If uninsured females aged 18-25 are at the most risk of developing mental illness, and they are also among the lowest-paid groups, how are they expected to afford or access mental health treatment?  In theory, the group that is at the highest risk for requiring mental health services is among the lowest paid. 

Mental Health Care should not be reserved only for those who can afford it. Without proper mental health care, the risk of developing substance addiction, being convicted of a crime, or being diagnosed with a medical disease increases. When one thinks of the term “health care” they associate it with a need or basic human right. Why does the phrase “mental health care” not elicit the same response? Both are crucial to a human's overall health, safety, and well-being. It is the responsibility of the U.S Government to ensure the safety and security of its people. To create the change necessary to resolve this issue, major reform in government spending, legislature, and the attitude towards mental health need to take place.

To significantly improve the mental health care system, and to ensure that the majority's needs are met, massive changes in our federal and state legislature must take place. It is understood that each state possesses discretionary rights and one of those rights is to regulate laws surrounding insurance policies. When it comes to government funding, States should distribute funding for mental health based on the needs of that community, and a large portion should be reserved for making medical insurance more affordable to its population. Although programs like the Affordable Health Care Act help, it does not help to eliminate the issue at hand. Medical Insurance is simply too expensive, considering it is a basic human necessity in America. Medical Insurance costs should be based on a sliding scale, taking into account socioeconomic factors that can help determine a fair price that the client can comfortably afford (Leonhardt, 2021).  

Aside from the affordability of insurance, insurance companies make obtaining and securing decent mental health care coverage extremely difficult. There is an unreasonable limit on in-network providers, making finding a local therapist in a timely manner nearly impossible. Insurance companies also make the criteria for acceptance too strict, eliminating accessibility to proper mental health care. This exclusivity and lack of urgency are detrimental to many sufferers of mental illness and can prove fatal in some circumstances. Insurance companies should have regulations and restrictions placed on their acceptance and denial process, and what they deem as a necessity. Mental health care should be held in the same regard as health care when offering insurance coverages; it directly correlates to your physical health, so it should not be treated as a privilege (Bogusz, 2020). 

There is so much work that must be done if improvements in this field are to be accomplished. Improving accessibility and affordability alone will not suffice; the concept of mental health care must also be normalized in our society. Previous generations were ashamed of the idea of therapy or having a mental illness. The idea of being mentally ill was unacceptable to many, as it implied that one was crazy or dangerous. A lot of the fear that surrounds mental illness stems from ignorance and a lack of reliable resources. If Psychology and Mental Wellness classes were made mandatory courses in all school cirriculums, and concepts such as mental disorders and mental health were normalized throughout popular culture, there could be a noticeable shift in the attitude surrounding such ideas. 

It is aweinspiring to see how far the mental health industry has come since its primitive years. The advancements in technology and research have paved the way for something truly amazing. Rather than maintaining the Freudian style of therapy, America has evoloved and branched out into many different therapeutic approaches; all focusing on the well being and safety of every patient. Improvements in the conditions of the institutions and legislation have taken place in the last few decades and it has molded the mental health industry into a safe space for those who need it. Athough American Psychology has come a long way, reform is still needed; just as people grow, ideas and systems must evolve as well. For the industry to remain a safe space for all, services must be made accessible and affordable and awareness must be spread. People need to feel comfortable reaching out for help, or else the whole point of the industry would be lost.