Psyche logo

Treating Mental Health

And Stories from the Afflicted

By Danni GreerPublished 7 years ago 4 min read
Like

If you or a loved one struggles with mental health issues of any kind, you're probably aware of the many barriers that stand in the way of treatment, diagnosis, and, sometimes, even safety. Particularly in rural areas, access to medical professionals who specialize in mental health are hard to find. Normally, there are only one or two options to begin with and they are, on average, about half an hour away. Then, once you locate them, they have so many patients that the nearest appointment that is up to three months out. On the peninsula part of Virginia called the Eastern Shore, even mental health emergencies can take a month to set up a medicinal or therapeutic system for the patient after the initial contact.

Nothing I have mentioned so far has even addressed the financial cost. Even with insurance, there's normally a large out of pocket cost for the initial visit and for the medications prescribed for many of the mental health issues. Additionally, the only option in an area may not accept your health insurance, or your insurance may not cover mental health after a certain point. Then, the patient can end up with huge monthly costs for treatments they need to stay safe. Patients who can't afford what they need put themselves at risk daily by going without medication or treatment of any kind because they don't have access to it.

There's a woman I know who attempted suicide three years ago. She was admitted to the hospital and prescribed antidepressants. For a few months, she took her pills and had access to counselors should she need them. But the counselors were only available on her college campus, and she didn't have the money to refill the prescription. She's been struggling against a great beast, nearly empty handed, for two years. She's finally in a place where she can afford to get the prescription refilled, but she has to have a mental health professional verify that it's still the prescription she needs. So she has to set up an appointment with the only mental health facility in her area for as soon as possible. For that facility, that won't be until December. It's September, and she has to wait until December to feel like herself again.

There's a femme-presenting agender person I know who has self- and peer-diagnosed depression, anxiety, and a panic disorder. They have spent years researching these issues and have brought up the panic and anxiety disorders to doctors. The doctors, though they took some convincing, are now treating those issues. However, not a single doctor believes that they are depressed. The reason is that they aren't suicidal. Every time they attempt to bring up the depressive behavior they're having, doctors and counselors alike start by asking one question: Have you ever had suicidal thought or actions? Their answer is always the truth. "No, I haven't, but I still think I'm depressed." They get ignored.

Their story shows another issue with the treatments of mental health issues. Patients aren't believed when they raise issues concerning their mental health. This includes people who believe themselves to be Autistic, particularly females, who are able to hide it well enough that no one believes them. Also included are people who struggle from chronic pain and similar issues. Doctors and nurses are some of the worse offenders in not believing a patient who claims to be in constant and severe pain. If they don't believe pain, a physical ailment, then how likely are they to take seriously a complaint about a mental ailment that has never been raised before?

There's a boy I know who is on the autism spectrum. He talks a little differently and he trusts everyone. His special interests are baseball and NASCAR. He's not officially diagnosed because he is too social. His parents told me that because he's so good at math and talking to people, the doctor won't diagnose him officially despite his mother being a nurse and attempting to get him diagnosed for years.

There's a person you know who is facing one or many of the struggles I've discussed here whether you know it or not.

There's a person you know who doesn't know they need help.

There's a person you know who can't afford it.

There's a person you know who can't get an appointment in time.

There's a person you know who can't get diagnosed.

There's a person you knew who died before they could get help, for whatever reason.

Why? What can we do to prevent more?

There is no easy answer, but the first step would be to get people talking. It's to get the government talking. It's to make people pay attention to what is happening every day to vulnerable people who have no choice.

The first step is being informed.

What are you going to do about it?

treatments
Like

About the Creator

Danni Greer

I'm from Virginia as a genderfluid person. I write poems, stories, and personal essays trying to deal with stuff I face every day. If you like what you read, please consider supporting me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=18960818

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.