Hidden hurdles to mental health care

A quarter of American adults live with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. But more than half don’t seek help. Internal and external barriers may stop them from getting the care they need. Internal barriers are emotions or excuses people make to avoid treatment. External barriers include cost or difficulty finding a provider who can meet someone’s individual needs. To push past obstacles, people can investigate less-expensive mental health programs or reframe guilt-inducing thoughts.