Let’s talk about it

Therapy is rapidly on the rise

ELLE HORST ELLE HORST

*Trigger warning: this article contains mentions of self-harm and mental health struggles that may be triggering for some readers.

She’s tired, anxious, and depressed. The weekend did little to refresh her. She dragged herself to school but could barely focus and get work done. But it’s finally Wednesday, and the final bell has rung. After what feels like an endless headache of work, social stress, school, she can now get some release. She heads to her weekly therapy session, already feeling lighter inside.

This scenario is familiar to many people. In recent years, therapy has been in increasingly high demand, with a high percentage of these patients being teens and preteens struggling with mental health.

“We have seen a significant rise in the rates of depression and anxiety in our teenage population, [even] prior to the pandemic,” said Casey Sherman, a pediatrician.

Sarah Woods,* a Carlmont senior whose name has been changed to protect sensitive information, is one such teenager. She began seeing a therapist when she was a freshman to cope with declining mental health.

“I had a lot of stuff going on with my family and friends, and that combined with other factors made me feel very overwhelmed,” Woods said. “I started therapy because my mother found out I was beginning to use unhealthy coping mechanisms like self-harming to deal with my issues.”

Since starting therapy, Woods has found it to be a beneficial practice and believes it to be a significant factor in her mental wellbeing. She feels it has given her a safe space to vent and release some of the burdens and pressures she experiences without fear of social repercussions or judgment from her peers.

“I have someone to talk to about my problems that aren’t close to me,” Woods said. “I feel comfortable sharing things I normally wouldn’t with others because [my therapist] doesn’t know everything about me and is more removed and judgment-free about my situations.”

On top of the already rising rates of therapy,

the pandemic hit and the resulting trauma caused an extreme spike in a short period. A sudden halt to everyday life, combined with the loneliness of isolation and anxiety caused by the uncertainty that lay ahead, caused the demand to skyrocket. Adolescents were left especially susceptible to dips in mental health, as they were forced to deal with trauma amid critical physical and emotional development. Already dealing with raging hormones and changes to their bodies, these groups were cut off from the world, causing detrimental disorders to arise like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders to manifest.

“Prior to 2020, [my group and private practice] would receive an average of 10 new inquiries a month — over the past few years that has increased dramatically — the height being last year when we were getting 10 or more inquires a week,” said Theresa Chesnut, a therapist who specializes in treating patients with eating disorders.

According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 60% of therapists who treat depression saw an increase in patients. Three-quarters of psychiatrists who work with patients suffering from anxiety reported a rise in demand in recent years. The pandemic caused a host of stressors that triggered numerous mental disorders.

“The pandemic offered the perfect storm. It forced people into literal isolation, which coupled with the end of ‘normal’ daily life and routine caused people to feel depressed, anxious, and out of control,” Chesnut said.

As a result, many of these students affected began to noticeably struggle, leading them to seek psychiatric help.

“The significant lifestyle changes from COVID-19 were large instigators. Personally, I have seen more teens and families willing to address mental health topics in my clinic since the pandemic,” Strier said.

But despite how common therapy is becoming, negative stereotypes and ideas have always surrounded mental health. Years ago, those with mental illnesses could be locked up, shunned, and feared by their peers. Insane asylums thrived, filled with patients, and no legal action was taken against involuntary institutionalization until the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act of 1967, which ended inappropriate, indefinite, and nonconsensual institutionalization of people with mental health disorders and created due process protections for mental health clients.

Even in today’s seemingly more accepting society, there remains a toxic “hush culture” surrounding mental struggles. Shame, feelings of weakness, and a lack of education can keep people from getting the help they need.

“There is absolutely a negative association people can have with mental health and therapy,” Woods said. “I’m only really open about it with my close friends. Therapy can be looked down upon, and some people have bluntly asked, ‘What is wrong with you?’ when they find out I see a therapist. No one wants to hear that.”

For some, the cost of therapy may also be a deterrent, as each session can cost hundreds of dollars. According to GoodTherapy, an organization dedicated to providing mental health resources and providers for the public, therapy can cost hundreds of dollars, making many therapists out of reach for lower-income families.

On top of this, the need for therapy has increased so much that many therapists are unable to accommodate the large swaths of hopeful patients, leading to extensive waitlists, making getting much-needed help difficult.

“Most therapists, especially those in specialized fields, have been overly full for the past two years,” Chesnut said. “It is common to hear people desperate for help and not able to find someone qualified to help.”

However, there are more accessible ways to get therapy for those who cannot find an available therapist or pay the high rate that some charge.

“With the age of virtual therapy, a person can search for telehealth therapists within their state, which can open up more possibilities. There are also low fee clinics available in most larger cities that offer little or no fee to people,” Chesnut said. “Businesses like Betterhelp can offer direct access to a therapist... and typically has lower fees for service as well.”

Though there are potential challenges for seeking the resource, therapy has proved a useful tool for many. The APA reported that about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it, and it has been linked to positive changes in the brain and body. For Woods, she has found it to be a valuable experience that she would recommend to those who feel unsure or afraid to get help.

“If you are a person who thinks you might need help but are hesitant to actively seek it, you should absolutely try therapy,” Woods said. “It isn’t something that works for everyone, but it can be a big help. I would encourage people to try.” *Woods’ name has been changed due to the sensitive and personal nature of the topic covered and is in accordance with Carlmont Media’s Anonymous Sourcing Policy

National Alliance on Mental Illnesses Helpline: 1- 800-950-NAMI 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255

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Grad Crisis Line: (877) 472-3457 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800) 662-4357