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Therapy
10 min read
Written by Klarity Editorial Team
Published: Jan 13, 2023
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Zoe Russell
If you are struggling with your mental health, it is important not to let your symptoms go untreated. However, seeking mental health treatment can be a daunting task, especially with the long wait times involved with seeing a mental health professional in an office.
In-office mental healthcare can be a drawn-out process that takes months of waiting, follow-ups, and trial periods for psychiatric medications. In this article, we will discuss how long it takes to be seen by a traditional, brick-and-mortar mental health provider.
We’ll also cover an alternative option to the traditional health system—namely, seeking telehealth treatment for your mental health concerns.
At Klarity, our goal is to streamline mental health treatment and make it easier for everyday working people to connect with board-certified mental health professionals from the comfort of home through.
If you want to bypass the weeks of waiting and connect with a licensed health care provider within 48 hours, schedule an appointment on Klarity today.
Over the past few years, there has been a clear increase in the need for psychiatric health care in the US. With this increased demand, in-person psychiatrists are busier than ever and often don’t have the time or resources to keep up with the increased patient load.
Therefore, it is fairly common for a psychiatrist to not accept new patients or to put new patients on a waitlist for the next opening.
The time you spend on a waitlist to be seen by a psychiatrist can dramatically vary based on several different factors, including your geographic location, the type of care you need, and your insurance coverage. The dynamics and business model of the particular clinic you choose will also play a role in how quickly you will be able to be seen.
Some small private practice psych offices may only have one or a few psychiatrists seeing patients, while other clinics have a more multidisciplinary approach, with a variety of mental health professionals, including therapists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, in addition to physicians.
On average, you can expect to be on a waitlist for a few weeks or up to several months and even over a year in circumstances where your desired healthcare provider is in high demand.
If you are struggling with mental illness, it is important to address your symptoms. However, being put on a waitlist for months can make your mental illness worse and lead to a more serious mental health condition developing.
If you are on a waitlist to see an in-person psychiatrist, there are many faster alternatives to help you now. Below we have listed a few resources and solutions to help you receive help quickly.
Connecting with others who are experiencing the same or similar issues can provide much-needed support. Joining self-help groups gives a sense of community and support by connecting with others who are experiencing similar problems.
There are several resources available online, such as those offered through NAMI’s website.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also known as SAMHSA, is a program sponsored and run by the federal government that aims to help those who are suffering from substance abuse issues and various other mental health conditions.
They offer a hotline that is available 24/7, 365 days a year to offer help and resources for those who are experiencing substance abuse issues or other mental health conditions. This service is confidential and provides information and resources on treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based resources.
Simply call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their webpage if you or a family member need help.
In addition to the SAMHSA hotline, there are additional hotlines that are available to help those in need of mental health services. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Line. This service is available any time or day of the year.
Telehealth has become a popular way to receive faster care for your mental health in recent years. Opting for a telehealth provider allows you to receive the care you need from the convenience of your home, with shorter wait times and affordable options for those who do not have health insurance coverage.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in the popularity of online healthcare services, including online mental healthcare. This surge in demand can be attributed to several factors:
If you are struggling with mental illness, it is important to address your symptoms in a timely manner and not wait months to be seen by a mental health professional.
A mental health care provider on Klarity will discuss your symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to address your specific situation, if necessary. Your provider can also prescribe medication treatment based on your diagnosis.
Schedule an appointment today on Klarity, and we will connect you with a licensed healthcare provider in your state within 48 hours!
Sources:
“SAMHSA’s National Helpline” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
“Support Groups| NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Health” NAMI.https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups/?gclid=CjwKCAiA76-dBhByEiwAA0_s9f0dkv5Jfw2iWqsMHwqPrPym0Gjb1dqlf3XuMmw_6IlRoB8xvneefxoCHNUQAvD_BwE
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