When asked, 75 percent of survey respondents said they felt mental health conditions are identified and treated worse than physical health issues, according to aThe poll surveyed a random sample of 2,266 U.S. adults 18 and older. In addition to perceptions about treatment, the survey also gauged mental health conditions among participants.
Overall, 15 percent of respondents said they felt mental health conditions are treated “about the same” as physical health conditions, and 5 percent felt they were treated better than physical health conditions. Respondents were also asked to grade the ability of health-care systems to deal with mental health conditions, and a majority — 57 percent — gave a D or F.The main barriers, according to those surveyed, were affordability and difficulty in finding an adequate provider.
Additionally, 75 percent of adults 65 or older thought mental health conditions carry a negative stigma, but 53 percent of the participants felt psychological counseling or therapy is “very effective” or “effective.” Fewer adults felt medication was effective. Participants were also asked about their perceptions of mental health conditions over the past five years in the United States. More than 80 percent of those surveyed said the incidence of problems has risen, with women and respondents younger than 50 more likely to perceive an increase in mental health issues in Americans over the past five years.