Digital mental health platforms were supposed to expand access for the neediest patients. Researchers say that hasn’t happened.The New York Times reports that digital mental health platforms were expected to increase access for the most vulnerable patients. However, recent research suggests that this has not been the case. While the pandemic has led to a 30 percent increase in Americans receiving psychotherapy through virtual sessions, it has not improved access for those who need it the most.
In fact, the shift to teletherapy has only worsened existing disparities in mental health care. The increase in psychotherapy has primarily benefited those who already had better access to care, such as people with higher incomes, living in cities, and with stable employment and higher education levels. On the other hand, children from low-income families, Black children and adolescents, and adults with serious psychological distress have not seen the same increase in access to care.
Dr. Mark Olfson, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and lead author of the studies on access to care, expressed concern over this trend. He stated that the system of care, including internet delivery, seems to be moving away from those who need it the most.
Teletherapy was initially seen as a way to reach disadvantaged patients in remote areas with limited access to psychiatrists. However, it has not lived up to its promise of making mental health care more accessible. The article concludes by urging readers to subscribe to The New York Times for more news and information.
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