Therapy is an extremely effective method for treating mental disorders. Those suffering from serious mental illnesses, especially teenagers, should always get therapy instead of replacing it with other alternatives such as pursuing a hobby, as it would really help them in the long run.
In the U.S., a therapy session without insurance can cost anywhere between $65 to over $250, depending on the type of therapy, according to GoodTherapy. Therapy is a highly demanded service, which explains why it is so expensive. These high prices can often discourage people from getting therapy, and make them question if it’s really necessary to spend so much money on something they can treat themselves.
There are ways to get therapy for free or at lower costs, however, such as visiting a local clinic or university clinic. At MHS, for example, the wellness center serves as a local clinic, as students can go there to seek help for free. Most people see improvement on their mental health after 20-30 sessions, according to GoodRx. The treatment therapy provides will likely be effective in improving mental health, giving another reason for those struggling with their mental health to get therapy.
One of the reasons younger people may be discouraged from getting therapy is because they have parents who think therapy is simply a waste of time. Many parents, especially immigrants, do not understand the concept of therapy because it was not as easily accessible back then, when they were younger and at the preferred age to get treatment, as it is today. Therefore, they may have learned to overcome their problems themselves, which is why they might think therapy isn’t necessary.
Other reasons may include that people in earlier days were much less accepting of those who were different, as there was more of an emphasis on following social norms, or being “normal.” Mental health wasn’t considered an issue at the time, which is why those suffering from mental disorders may have wanted to solve their issues themselves or keep their issues private, allowing them to go untreated, so they wouldn’t be outcast.
Sometimes, the idea that therapy isn’t necessary comes from the fact that some don’t understand the experiences of those who are struggling with their mental health. For instance, mental disorders such as depression may be viewed as a temporary sadness that will go away in a short amount of time. Those who have never experienced depression will likely not understand that depression is a serious and possibly long-term disorder caused by a lack of serotonin in one’s brain. It isn’t something that can be cured by simply telling yourself to be happy.
If a person doesn’t get therapy to treat their mental illness, it could get worse over time. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California, untreated mental health problems can lead to issues such as substance abuse, homelessness, suicide, and poor quality of life.
Treatments for serious mental illnesses today are very effective, with 70-90% of people seeing a significant decrease in symptoms and an improved quality of life with the right treatment and support, according to NAMI California. NAMI California also states that, not only does the right treatment ease symptoms, but people can also feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction after going through it.
Knowing that therapy is highly effective should encourage individuals experiencing mental illness to get the help that they need before it gets worse. It may be expensive at times, but considering that there are ways to get it for free or at lower costs, and it’s very accessible, anyone in need of help should seek therapy.