Telehealth - A Great Way to Access Mental Health

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

Telehealth is now playing a huge role in treating mental health and substance abuse. Telehealth is a covered benefit by many employer-based health plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid plans.

While telehealth has been around for quite a while, it became extremely popular when the pandemic began in 2020. Telehealth is great for minor illnesses like sore throat and earaches, but it has played a significant role in providing much needed services for mental health and substance abuse.

While the number of patients seeking telehealth treatments for minor illnesses have slowly declined, the number of patients seeking treatment for mental health and substance abuse services by telehealth providers continues to increase. Why? Experts says that while the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid epidemic were already taking a toll on our nation’s mental health, the rising oil and food prices added more fuel to the fire.

While many people recognize they have a problem and want help, they have had trouble accessing the help they needed because:

1. They lack transportation
2. They live in rural areas where travel to an office is not ideal
3. Childcare is too expensive
4. Unable to leave work for long enough to commute to an appointment
5. Physical or emotional challenges make leaving home difficult

The opportunity to use telehealth for mental health care helps people overcome many of these obstacles. When someone doesn’t have to leave home or work to get the care they need, that’s a huge benefit.

If you or someone you love is struggling, find out if there is a telehealth option available through your/their health plan and give them a call. For those without insurance, please contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their website www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

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Allied National

Founded in 1970, Allied is one of the nation's oldest and most experienced third-party administrators. As the small group benefit experts, Allied works with small business employers to provide unique and affordable group health benefits.