Poll: Americans view cost as barrier to mental health treatment

While the vast majority of Americans value physical and mental health equally, more than four in 10 people see cost as a barrier to treatment for the latter, a new survey from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shows.

The report, which comes about a week before National Suicide Prevention Week, found that nearly half — 47 percent — of all Americans think they have or have had a mental health condition, yet fewer than two in five — 38 percent — have received treatment.

And while most people — 86 percent — said they understand that mental health conditions such as depression are risk factors for suicide, less than half knew that anxiety or panic disorders in particular put individuals at an increased risk.

“There’s a significant body of research that demonstrates that individuals suffering from anxiety disorders and depression face an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts,” Mark Pollack, president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, said in a news release. “Effectively diagnosing and treating both anxiety disorders and depression, especially when they co-occur, are critical pathways to intervening and reducing suicide crises.”

In the online poll, 55 percent of 2,000 U.S. adults surveyed in August said they have been affected by suicide and more than half — 53 percent — said they didn’t know people with anxiety or panic disorders are at risk for suicide.

Most people —67 percent — said they would tell someone if they were having thoughts of suicide, though men were significantly less likely than women to say they would tell someone.

Experts, however, say progress is being made in how Americans view mental health. The vast majority of American adults — 94 percent — think suicide is something that can be prevented at least some of the time.

“Knowing that the vast majority believe that suicide is preventable helps us to take immediate action,” Christine Moutier, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s chief medical officer, said in a release. “We must continue to support, treat and care for those struggling with mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts. It’s all about saving lives.”