Two-thirds of Americans say therapy improved their emotional health in 2021

Eight in 10 Americans think it’s perfectly acceptable to see a therapist without an official diagnosis, according to new research.

A recent survey of 2,002 U.S. respondents suggests that 67% felt more in touch with their emotions in 2021 compared to 2020, and continued therapy may be the cause.

However, results also suggest that people continue to have mixed views on mental health care.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vida Health, the survey also found that 46% think getting therapy is a sign of weakness.

This mirrors the results of a similar survey conducted by OnePoll and Vida Health in 2020, in which 47% of those polled felt the same way — suggesting that attempts to break the stigma haven’t gotten very much traction.

And nearly half of Americans are more hesitant to receive virtual health care the more severe their mental or physical health symptoms get, suggesting a greater need for solutions that can reach higher acuity populations.

Millennials were the most reluctant to seek virtual therapy as their symptoms progressed (70%), more than Gen X respondents (41%) and baby boomers (20%) combined.

Eight in 10 said they’ve sought out or undergone more mental health treatment over the past year than they had before.

Two in five have either continued or started taking medication to treat their mental health symptoms.

In addition to dealing with general stress (49%) and the pandemic (46%), people frequently sought help after starting or ending a romantic relationship (43%) or becoming a parent for the first time (36%).

“The ongoing pandemic has compounded with major life changes like starting a new job or becoming a parent, placing an even greater strain on mental health,” said Vida Health Chief Medical Officer Patrick Carroll, MD. “It’s encouraging that people continue to be open to seeking out therapy; however, the fact that the same number of people still stigmatize it a year later is cause for concern. We need to go beyond providing access to these essential services, because as we have seen, people are still not taking action even when they have access to quality care."

For 45% of respondents, 2022 presents an opportunity to focus equally on their mental and physical health.

More than half (54%) said they plan to continue or even increase the amount of time they spend in therapy this year, compared to only 29% who aim to decrease their visits.

Recognizing that mental and physical health are connected, thirty-seven percent plan to eat healthier, while 36% will get more sleep and keep active or exercise regularly for their mental well-being.

“Although we still have a ways to go to destigmatize therapy, we’re glad to see people seeking different solutions to improving their mental well-being in the new year,” Carroll added. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care, and it’s often a combination of activities that has the best impact on an individual.”

MENTAL HEALTH PLANS FOR 2022
Eat healthier - 37%
Get more sleep - 36%
Keep active or exercise - 36%
Read - 31%
Talk to friends or family - 30%
Take supplements or vitamins - 29%
Enjoy some comfort food - 27%
Focus on positive affirmations - 27%
Meditate - 27%
Pursue a hobby - 26%
Practice mindfulness - 25%
Deep breathing - 24%