this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2025
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17
How prevalent is the topic of mental health in America? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
8 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hey there, I’m from Germany and have mental health issues such as depression and was wondering how prevalent this topic is in America.

Here in Germany this topic has become extremely normal and pretty much everyone seems to openly talk about it even with strangers sometimes. We have a lot of therapists but it’s often hard to get an appointment since medical care in Germany is free and they have overwhelming numbers of people and the therapists don’t have enough availability to accommodate everyone. The therapists I had so far were pretty good since they really seemed to care about me and often did overtime and such to talk.

I wonder if it’s similar in America that a lot of people go to therapy and openly talk about mental health. What is the situation in America like? Do you have many therapists (especially in rural areas) and how easy is it to get in/finance? Or would you say this topic is generally more frowned upon in America in comparison?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Well, so far it's been pretty clear we're willing to let lots of school children get shot and are willing to blame ANYTHING but the state of mental health care in this country, so I'd have to say that we're not very good discussing this, or doing anything about it.

It's a combination of the old British stiff upper lip, the American belief in rugged individualism, and a whole lot of just plain burying our heads in the sand.

...Also mental health coverage by insurance is usually not very good. You can typically get coverage to see a psychiatrist to get drugs for whatever ails you, but seeing a psychologist is a lot more iffy usually. Have to find one that takes your insurance, assuming your insurance pays for it at all, and even if it does pay for it you usually have some sort of visit limit, so hopefully whatever your issue is can be sorted out in 10 visits or whatever, so good luck god bless thoughts and prayers.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

Wow 10 visits are very little. I used to go to a therapist for years, 2 times per week. I didn't had to pay a cent but I ended it at some point cause I felt the therapist wasn't helpful anymore.