The most significant deterrent to seeking out mental health treatment among those who did not receive it last year was feeling as though they should be able to handle their mental health on their own, according to data published July 30 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The "Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States" reported results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which compiled the latest indicators related to substance use, mental health, treatment and recovery in the U.S., collected from nationwide respondents.
Here are the five most common responses among those surveyed who had a perceived unmet need for mental healthcare in the last year when asked why they did not pursue mental health treatment:
- Believing they should have been able to handle their mental health on their own (71%)
- Believing treatment would cost too much (60%)
- Not being ready to start treatment (51%)
- Not knowing how or where to get treatment (49%)
- Not having enough time for treatment (47%)