The New Normalization: Talkspace Findings Show More People Are Openly Embracing Therapy, View It as a Necessity in Post-Pandemic Life
June 01 2023 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
‘New Normalization’ Survey Shows Discussion of
Mental Health Care Has Shifted From Secrecy and Stigma to Everyday
Conversation
8 in 10 Respondents Reported That More People
Are Open to Going to Therapy Than They Were 3 Years Ago
Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK), the leading provider of virtual
behavioral health services, released insights from “The New
Normalization,” a new survey of their community, that found more
people than ever are open to seeking help for mental health issues,
and talking about it without fear of stigma. In fact, 8 in 10
respondents reported that more people are open to going to therapy
than they were 3 years ago. More than 90% of respondents
currently in therapy say they’ve shared that information with
friends or family.
As collective attention on mental health emerges as the
post-pandemic “new normal,” stigma around mental health care is
waning dramatically: 65% of respondents said they’re more likely to
discuss mental health with their friends than pre-pandemic.
Mental health was also ranked among topics people were most
comfortable talking about with friends (66% of
respondents), only behind their jobs (82%), and ahead of other
issues like physical health (65%), family dynamics (57%), weight or
physical appearance (46%), and finances (27%).
Additionally, people believe mental health deserves the same
attention and upkeep as physical health. Expectations of insurers
and employers have shifted, as more people want their employers and
insurers to support mental health care. 98% of respondents
believe mental health treatment should be covered by their
insurance, “regardless of a diagnosable condition,” and in the
same way that preventive care is covered for physical health. 86%
of respondents also said that getting therapy covered through their
employer would make them more likely to stay at their job.
“These findings represent a seismic shift in public opinion, and
one we have been working with major health plans and employers for
the last few years to lay the groundwork for: that mental health
care is a necessity and needs to be treated at the level of
importance we have historically treated physical health,” said
Jon Cohen, CEO of Talkspace. “That people are finally doing
that – and embracing therapy in the open – is a rare bright spot in
an otherwise dire state of mental health in America. As a pioneer
in the field of virtual mental health, Talkspace has and will
continue to be unwavering in our commitment to expand access to
affordable, high-quality mental health care to all who need
it.”
Other takeaways from the survey include:
- People of color are increasingly embracing therapy. 70%
of respondents identifying as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx or
Asian/Pacific Islander said that their friends and family are more
likely to seek therapy than before the pandemic, compared to 64% of
White/Caucasian respondents (statistically significant).
- Tolerance for mental health struggles is higher than
ever. As public figures like Pennsylvania Senator John
Fetterman are open about their mental health struggles, 3 in 4
respondents said that their opinion of business (76%) or community
or political leaders (74%) would not be negatively impacted if the
leader admitted to struggling. Fewer than 10% expressed that they’d
think less of a leader with mental health challenges.
- Workplace mental health benefits are equally, if not more,
effective at relieving stress than wellness days, according to
90% of respondents.
- Mental health care is about prevention, not just a crisis or
condition. Therapy is now considered akin to preventive care or
an exercise routine, something that everybody should do to maintain
health and stop issues before they start. 91% of respondents agreed
with the statement, “Therapy and mental wellness exercises are a
good practice to prevent your mental health from worsening.”
- Family and relationships still cause us the most mental
stress. Of the respondents currently in therapy, the most
discussed subjects are family relationships (55%), working through
past trauma (52%), and spouse/significant other relationships
(51%).
Talkspace conducted the survey of 3,979 respondents who are
current, former, and prospective members signed up to receive email
communications. The results of the survey do not necessarily
represent the views of the general population. No personal health
information was collected during the administration of the survey,
and each respondent was made aware that the survey is
anonymous.
You can download the full survey results here.
About Talkspace
Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK) is a leading virtual behavioral
healthcare company committed to helping people lead healthier,
happier lives through access to high-quality mental healthcare. At
Talkspace, we believe that mental healthcare is core to overall
health and should be available to everyone.
Talkspace pioneered the ability to text with a licensed
therapist from anywhere and now offers a comprehensive suite of
mental health services from self-guided products to individual and
couples therapy, in addition to psychiatric treatment and
medication management. With Talkspace’s core psychotherapy
offering, members are matched with one of thousands of licensed
providers across all 50 states and can choose from a variety of
subscription plans including live video, text or audio chat
sessions and/or unlimited, asynchronous text messaging.
All care offered at Talkspace is delivered through an
easy-to-use, fully-encrypted web and mobile platform that meets
HIPAA, federal, and state regulatory requirements. Talkspace
covered approximately 112 million lives as of May 2, 2023, through
our partnerships with employers, health plans, and paid benefits
programs.
For more information, visit www.talkspace.com.
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