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Your Mental Health Matters! May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to check in, not just on your finances, but on yourself.

Because here’s the thing: mental health affects all of us. So if you’ve ever felt stressed, overwhelmed, or just “off,” you’re definitely not alone.

Mental Health By the Numbers

1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year
Nearly 1 in 5 adults has been diagnosed with depression
Only about half of people get the treatment they need

Mental health challenges are common but getting help still isn’t.

Stigmas and Barriers to Treatment

In a recent study, the Mayo Clinic examined mental health stigmas and barriers to treatment. They found that navigating the mental health care system is a major barrier. Another significant one is fear.

People may fear unfamiliar care, conditions, and treatment costs. The existence of negative stigmas may create fear of judgment and fallout. Some fear the possibility of further stress in response to treatment regimens. Finally, some see a conflict between seeking mental health care and adhering to cultural and/or religious standards of strength.

What does stigma look like?

“Just tough it out.”
“It’s all in your head.”
Feeling embarrassed to ask for help
Worrying what others might think

Stigmas are not only uncomfortable to deal with, but they can delay or stop people from getting care.

Fighting Mental Health Stigma

According to NAMI, there are many ways to fight mental health stigmas, including:

Talk openly about mental health. Talk with your friends and family and share your personal experiences on social media.
Education is key. Visit a licensed counselor or physician and ask for printed materials. You can also use reputable online resources like Psychology Today, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), and NAMI to learn more.
Share your knowledge with those who have misunderstandings or misinformation.
Show compassion for those with mental illness. Avoid labels. Focus on the person, not the condition
Choose empowerment over shame. Live your life, and don’t let others influence how you feel about yourself.
Be honest about treatment. It’s okay to tell people that you see a therapist or psychiatrist. Seeking care from a mental health professional is just as important as seeing a doctor for physical ailments.

Seeking Medical Help for Mental Illness

In addition to stigmas, cost is the other major factor that causes people not to address their mental health issues. As of 2014, most individual and small group health insurance plans, including plans sold on the Marketplace, must cover mental health and substance disorder services. Yet co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs remain unaffordable for many.

Did You Know? Your FSA/HSA Can Help

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can make mental health treatment more affordable. Eligible expenses include counseling, prescriptions, psychiatric care, and other specialized treatments. Here are some examples:

Psychiatric Care

Seeing a primary caregiver is the first step toward diagnosing and treating mental health problems. However, many types of mental illness require expert attention. In addition to prescriptions, seeing a psychiatrist may be part of a treatment plan.

Psychiatrists are typically the ones who prescribe medications. They may also provide services such as psychotherapy. Psychiatric care and treatments are approved healthcare expenses.

Prescription Medications

As mentioned above, some mental illness treatments include prescription medication. Remember that most anti-depressants are available in generic form, and generic prescriptions usually cost less than their brand-name counterparts. Talk with your healthcare provider about generic medication options.

Psychology Tests and Counseling Therapies

Patients with mental health needs can also see a licensed psychologist. A psychologist may run psychological tests and use different behavioral or cognitive therapies with the patient. However, psychologists and counselors cannot prescribe medication.

Addiction Treatments

The American Psychiatric Association lists many addictive disorders as mental health issues, including alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse. Your benefit accounts can cover:

Smoking cessation programs
In- and out-patient treatment for alcoholism and substance abuse
Meals and lodging for in-patient treatment
Transportation expenses for attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or similar recovery groups

Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture is another common treatment for depression, eating disorders, and other types of mental illness. You may need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a physician to cover the cost with an FSA or HSA.