According to the American Psychological Association study, the rates of mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes have increased majorly, especially among adolescents and young adults over the last decade. These problems have significantly impacted females and those who are wealthier, in particular.
On top of that, Covid-19 has added further setback to the ongoing mental health condition. This is because the novel coronavirus has induced a considerable degree of fear, anxiety, and concern worldwide.
Dr. Konstantinos Petsanis, a neurologist by training, has even said, “Mental health repercussions regarding what is happening during this pandemic for people, today and beyond, will really be a problem in general.”
When the world is practicing social distancing to reduce the coronavirus's spread, there is also an urgent need to lower the elevated rates of stress or anxiety.
But how? An online or virtual mental health care approach!
Yes, seeking online/virtual advice is the most convenient way during these depressing times. Online counseling connects therapists and patients digitally over video calls, email, chat, or internet phone calls. However, you should be careful while looking for mental health services among the wide variety of potential health care providers.
Here are some beneficial tips:
Do proper research on the internet about various mental health providers or therapists. Look for their ratings and reviews, as other’s experiences can help you make informed decisions. Explore reliable platforms to connect you with a therapist and help in coping skills and stress management techniques. You can also ask for recommendations from your family, doctors, relatives, or friends.
To begin with, you should figure out why you need a therapist or a mental health provider. There are several mental health disorders like depression, anxiety and stress, panic disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, to name a few. A designated mental health provider is available to treat these various problems.
Ask yourself!
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Do you need help to deal with trauma or loss you have experienced?
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Are you getting frequent panic attacks seeing any unfavorable situation?
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Are your thoughts, emotions, or behaviors getting out of control? Or are you struggling with your emotional well-being?
In any of the above scenarios, discover an underlying cause for your condition, and look for a provider specialized in the desired area. In addition, there are some common approaches to depression treatment, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Therefore, learn about different treatment orientations that may also give an idea about the treatment's duration. Ask your therapist to provide you with detailed information before the procedure begins.
Secondly, you should understand what type of mental health provider do you need?
Mental health providers are specialists who diagnose mental health conditions and provide treatment. They have either master’s degree-level or doctoral-level training. There are several titles associated with a master’s degree like a master of social work (MSW), Licensed professional counselor (LPC), etc. Further, health professionals who have doctoral-level training are called psychologists, whereas medical doctors who specialize in mental health are known as psychiatrists. In some instances, family medicine doctors also prescribe medications for mental health conditions.
Licensed clinical social worker: The clinical social worker provides assessment, diagnosis, and counseling, but is not licensed to prescribe medication.
Licensed professional counselor: The professional counselor is dedicated to providing counseling for a range of mental health issues. They are also not licensed to prescribe medications.
Psychiatrist: These physicians can diagnose and treat mental health disorders and are trained to prescribe medication. Additionally, they also offer psychological counseling or psychotherapy.
Psychologist: They can diagnose and treat various mental health problems and provide one-on-one or group counseling therapies.
So, it is necessary to understand your concern or condition whether you need medications, counseling, or both. It is very imperative to determine the credentials and experience of the therapist. The professional you choose must be licensed to provide mental health services.
Furthermore, consider your preferences based on specific criteria like the gender of the provider, video or phone-only sessions, language, etc. Your comfort level is important as you may be establishing a long-term relationship. More than that, you need someone who you can trust and talk to without any apprehensions. Always keep these factors in mind while choosing a potential mental health provider.
Another aspect to look after is your privacy. Of course, mental health providers are liable for protecting your information and confidential details. Thus, examine the technology used for therapy sessions and check the privacy policies carefully.
Last but not least, your health insurance coverage. It is crucial to ensure that your provider accepts insurance or if he/she is accessible in your insurance network. In fact, your insurance policy can help you with a list of mental health providers they cover. This will simplify your research and help you learn about claims, benefits, and limitations.
Definitely, mental health providers can save the lives of those people who may feel hopeless and lost while enhancing their outlook towards life. So, find a suitable one and take positive steps towards your recovery.