Once a hush-hush topic, mental health talk has experienced a renaissance of sorts in recent years, and this increased openness means that clinics and therapists are practicing psychology in a rapidly evolving environment. Clinics are navigating new terrain where difficulties accessing care persist and misinformation presents new challenges.
“Mental health care has become increasingly challenging due to the complexities of modern social dynamics and the lingering effects of the post-pandemic environment,” says Dr. Brent Nelson, psychiatrist and chief medical information officer at PrairieCare. “Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and the ongoing stressors related to the pandemic have exacerbated mental health issues for many individuals.”
In our increasingly complex and connected world, it’s more important than ever that people have easy access to quality mental health services—and Twin Cities clinics are striving to provide the best possible care in today’s age of therapy. From using technology like telehealth to get people into appointments with ease to implementing educational campaigns for staff and the general public to combat stigma and misinformation, local providers are developing effective interventions in response to issues new and old.
Stigma Remains Hard to Shake
There’s a growing cultural dialogue about mental health where people tend to speak more openly about their experiences with anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence, yet stigma remains a prevalent barrier to . Fears that arise in regard to going to therapy may prevent someone from reaching out for the care they need in the first place. This, in turn, means that many people delay seeking support or, worse, avoid taking necessary steps toward their mental wellness altogether.
“Many individuals will avoid getting the help they need because they are concerned about how they will be perceived by others or that no one will understand what they are going through,” says Jillian Lampert, vice president of communications at The Emily Program. According to the organization, 9 percent of Americans exhibit disordered eating at some point in their lives, and more than 70 percent of those struggling with eating disorders do not receive treatment due to stigma, misinformation, or the inaccessibility of care.
Jennifer Brink, vice president of marketing, events, and communications at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge (MnTC), agrees that fear is a common barrier to seeking mental health and addiction support. She says patients are concerned about being judged, whether they will like their therapist, whether they will be perceived as weak or incapable, or if anyone else can handle their struggles.
Dr. Heidi Bausch-Ryan, licensed psychologist and vice president of training at Care Counseling, also recognizes that stigma may contribute to someone’s hesitancy to acknowledge mental health concerns and, in turn, to pursue therapy. “This can delay care until mental health concerns become even more severe, which then can impact their outcomes, especially initially in the therapeutic process,” she says.
Across clinics, providers emphasized the importance of personalized approaches to mental health care in their practices as a means of achieving the highest-quality support and best outcomes for their patients. At The Emily Program, individuals with eating disorders are supported throughout the whole process of recovery—the care the organization provides includes not only eating disorder–specific care but also behavioral health support that is designed to suit clients’ diverse goals, needs, and backgrounds.
“We work to create an environment where clients and their families feel supported and receive treatment tailored to their specific needs,” says Lampert. Providing tailored treatment means that therapists and clinics are understanding of individual needs, which includes being sensitive to their patients’ apprehensions about seeking mental health care. Both The Emily Program and PrairieCare have a commitment to viewing their patients as unique individuals for whom there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
“By continually investing in our providers and infrastructure, we aim to meet the evolving needs of our patients and ensure that everyone has access to the mental health care they deserve,” says Nelson.
MnTC’s values are aligned with this philosophy, too. “We believe that we all are created to thrive, not just survive,” says Brink.
High Demand for Therapy, Low Supply of Appointment
Even those for whom stigma is not a factor may face challenges when seeking care. For example, appointment availability poses a significant barrier to obtaining mental health care and treatment for addiction and eating disorders. A high demand for mental health services is putting strain on therapists’ offices.
“Timely access to care remains a critical challenge,” says Nelson, who’s observed a shortage in qualified providers meeting the specific needs of PrairieCare’s patients. This shortage may lead to long wait times for appointments and can create significant delays in necessary treatment. “This can be especially detrimental during mental health crises,” he adds.
The Emily Program has seen an increased demand for eating disorder care in recent years, stating that after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders has seen a significant increase in symptom occurrence, helpline calls, and program referrals and attendance—all of which have led to increased wait times to enter recovery programs.
In response to the high demand for treatment, many clinics have stepped up to offer more telehealth appointments, which has noticeably increased their capacity to help. Virtual mental health services have helped to break down other barriers, such as access issues posed by transportation availability or geographic location.
“People in outstate Minnesota are no longer limited by their access to a drivable clinic. Our metro clinics are able to serve clients throughout the state of Minnesota because of telehealth,” Brink says.
“The heightened social priority of mental health is driving development of new treatment modalities and expanding access to care,” says Nelson. He adds that telehealth services have allowed patients to receive care from the comfort of their homes.
96% of psychologists feel that telehealth is an effective way to deliver therapy, according to a 2021 survey by the American Psychological Association. Use of telehealth in surveyed clinics grew from from 33% in 2020 to 50% in 2021.
The Snowball Effect of Putting off Getting Help
Postponing treatment or support due to stigma, scheduling, and other hurdles can lead to worrisome ripple effects. “There is a common misconception that you should go to therapy when life is at its worst,” says Bausch-Ryan. “We would benefit from taking a more proactive approach and navigating stress or strain by building our skills before disruption occurs. When we engage in therapy when things are actually going well or are neutral, that’s when we actually learn best. This is when we can practice and get in the habit of using helpful strategies and leaning into different support systems. That way, when life stress eventually emerges, we feel more capable.”
Lampert emphasizes the importance of timely intervention, too. “Eating disorders are severe, potentially life-threatening illnesses, and they can impact people of any age, gender, and body type. The sooner they are treated, the better—and full recovery is possible. An eating disorder does not need to be a lifelong struggle,” she says. She believes mental health care should be part of a balanced, emotionally healthy life—not reserved for times of crisis or worst-case scenarios. “Recovery is worth it,” she says.
According to the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report issued by Mental Health America, 15 percent of adults experienced a substance use disorder in the last year, and more than 90 percent of them did not receive treatment. More than a quarter of adults experiencing a mental illness did not receive the treatment they needed—many because they could not afford it.
“The administrative burden associated with insurance reimbursement and prior authorization requirements adds another layer of complexity,” says Nelson. “These processes can be time-consuming and confusing, often resulting in treatment delays as providers and patients work through the necessary bureaucratic steps.” Additionally, the financial burden of mental health care, coupled with inadequate insurance coverage, often leaves patients with significant out-of-pocket expenses, further hindering access to necessary services, he says.
In order to offer the best mental health care possible and provide patients with the help they need when they need it, local therapy clinics pay special attention to their staffing practices—and cultivate their values through the providers they employ.
Bausch-Ryan says that Care Counseling prioritizes providing ethical, effective, and culturally responsive mental health services, which it facilitates by incorporating the highest-caliber practitioners and offering the highest-quality training to promote well-being.
“Care Counseling provides over 50 hours annually of high-quality professional training on evidence-based clinical practice to enhance client outcomes and emphasize the highest standards of care,” says Bausch-Ryan. By considering multiple obstacles people face when seeking mental health care, clinics like Care Counseling seek to make the process of attending therapy as easy and impactful as possible.
“We partner with local community organizations, medical systems, and insurance companies to make sure that we have a coordinated and integrative approach to mental health care delivery,” says Bausch-Ryan. “Through these collaborations, we are able to leverage resources, share expertise, and improve care coordination, which enhances the quality and effectiveness of our services.”
Similarly, MnTC has sought to hire a spectrum of providers across specialties and experiences as well as gender identities and ages. Its priority is to hire “down-to-earth, caring, skilled therapists” whose role in the clinic helps to combat stigma and create a culture of acceptance around struggles with addiction.
“When we engage in therapy when things are actually going well or are neutral, that’s when we actually learn best…. That way, when life stress eventually emerges, we feel more capable.” —Dr. Heidi Bausch-Ryan / Care Counseling
Unreliable Information Continues to Spread
Although technology has offered some benefits—most notably telehealth—it has also introduced new challenges. “The overwhelming volume of information online and complex interactions on social media can contribute to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues,” says Nelson.
The near-constant exposure to online content, which stirs up our emotions and the spread of questionable mental health information, can negatively impact not only people’s moods but also their attitudes toward mental health.
Lampert concurs. “With the prevalence of social media, The Emily Program has seen many of the same barriers and social norms amplified to a new degree,” she says. “Online trends, particularly those promoting specific body types, ways of eating, or exercise, can not only be triggering for people with an eating disorder—it can also discourage individuals who might otherwise seek treatment by normalizing problematic ideas and values.”
Bausch-Ryan says that since mental health and well-being have become much more relevant in popular culture, people are talking about wellness in a new way, which has resulted in people seeking solutions and resources to cope in new ways as well. “Narratives on social media can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and myths about mental conditions and their treatment.”
She points out that it is a slippery slope to rely on social media for mental health support—where pseudoscientific and/or ineffective solutions abound in comparison to evidence-based, professional approaches to mental health care.
Providers are harnessing opportunities for education and outreach in order to overcome new hurdles posed by the spread of disreputable information online. Even outside the one-on-one context of the therapist’s office, modern clinics seek to provide factual and helpful information about mental health, addiction, and eating disorders for the community. The Emily Program, for example, is focused on providing accessible materials that inform and educate the public about eating disorders. The organization’s website is full of resources, including fact sheets, simple screening tools, and information on different conditions.
Likewise, Care Counseling is “committed to being a reliable source of information. We prioritize providing accurate, evidence-based information on mental health on our website, social media channels, and in our community outreach,” explains Bausch-Ryan.
Something’s Amiss
The rise of online misinformation has posed new challenges for mental health practitioners, and many are actively working to disrupt it within their clinics. Promoting digital literacy and debunking false information can effectively counter the spread of disreputable information. According to an APA report from late 2023, the general public is more likely to believe misinformation that evokes fear or anger, portrays “others” and out-groups in a negative light, or is encountered repeatedly. It also found that social media is favorable for these conditions, especially in the way it creates “echo chambers.” Here are some ways you can slow the spread of misinformation:
- A. Question first, share second. Does the information come from a credible source, such as a reputable organization or someone with credentials? Check the facts with reliable information from the CDC or NIH before sharing.
- B. Talk true. Share only information you know to be reliable. Make an effort to share posts that serve to correct or debunk untrue claims.
- C. Get media literate. Use available tools, such as games and quizzes, that can help you recognize misinformation.
Originally published on Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.