Report issued looking at the disparity between access to physical vs. mental health
Today, The Bowman Family Foundation released Equitable Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care: An Urgent Need, an important report highlighting the disparity people in our country are facing every day in access to mental vs. physical health. The report was conducted by NORC, an independent, non-partisan research institute at the University of Chicago, who surveyed 2,794 patients in order to understand their experiences in accessing mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD) care. Shatterproof is named as a supporting organization in this study.
The survey found:
• More than half of patients (57%) who sought mental health or substance use care were unable to access any care on at least one occasion between January 2019 and April 2022.
• Of patients in employer-sponsored health plans, 39% reported using at least one out-of-network provider for mental health or SUD outpatient care, compared to just 15% for physical health care.
• Of patients using out-of-network provider, 80% reported using out-of-network mental health or substance use providers “all of the time” versus only 6% for physical health care.
• Even among patients who successfully made an appointment with a new in-network mental health or substance use provider, 40% had to contact four or more providers.
This report and its findings reinforce the urgent need to curb this country’s stark inequalities in access to mental health and SUD care. Over half of the people who seek these resources struggle to obtain them successfully, and our youth are the most impacted.
“Substance use disorders (SUDs) impact more than 46 million people ages 12 and older. These findings underline the staggering public health challenge that is happening in our country and explore strategies for bridging the gap in access to mental health and substance use disorder care,” said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “Addiction has devastated countless families, which is why we must push decision-makers in our country to pay attention to what is happening to our healthcare system. This report is an important resource as we work to create more accessible and comprehensive health care.”
Shatterproof aligns with many of the recommendations from this report, including enforcement of parity laws, integration of mental health and SUD care into primary care visits, and continued covering and paying for video and phone call mental health and SUD services. For many, especially those most vulnerable, telehealth may be the only realistic option.
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ABOUT SHATTERPROOF
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding communities, removing systemic barriers to recovery, mobilizing the country to advocate for change, and ending addiction stigma in the United States. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube @ShatterproofHQ or follow us on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or a substance use disorder, text SHATTERPROOF to 741741 for help.
ABOUT THE BOWMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Bowman Family Foundation (“BFF”) is a private foundation qualifying as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The primary mission of BFF is to improve the lives of people with mental health and substance use conditions. BFF also provides funding to support the education and welfare of children. BFF is the Managing Member of the Mental Health Treatment and Research Institute LLC (“MHTARI”), a tax-exempt subsidiary of BFF which conducts most BFF activities regarding mental health and substance use conditions. The survey conducted by NORC and preparation of the report were funded by MHTARI. Learn more at www.thebowmanfamilyfoundation.org.
CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Shatterproof
press@shatterproof.org
Lauren Green
West End Strategy Team
lgreen@westendstrategyteam.com
