Access to affordable mental health services for low-income families should be a right. As a student studying social work, I know that low-income families deserve better access to mental health services. Low-income families face a lot of systemic barriers. These issues can be making it harder to access mental health services.
Many low-income families may lack health insurance or face co-pays that are extremely high. This prevents them from getting the help they may need. Not only is the cost might be affecting them, but also transportation and being unable to take off work. This is why it is important to have a variety of ways to access these services. More affordable access to mental health services can help them get the help they may need.
As someone who struggles first-hand with mental health issues and grew up in a low-income family, I know how hard and unaffordable it is to get help for your mental health. Not only does your mental health become impacted, but your physical health as well. Having poor physical and mental health can lead to many more issues, which is why having access to these things are important. Being mentally stable and healthy can improve the quality of life so much. This is why I believe that mental health services should be more affordable.
There are ways to address the issue of not having affordable access to mental health services. To address this can be by increasing funding for community mental health programs, more access to telehealth options, and expanded coverage for Medicaid. These are all things that can help allow more access to mental health services. Getting access to any type of health service should be a right. The person should not have to worry about if they can afford it, miss work for it, and be able to find a way there. Being able to provide community services, telehealth, and expanded coverage would be able to overcome some of these barriers that low-income people face.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Brooks