85 Mental health pharmacies

Mental health pharmacies

Customers can now find band aids, medication and therapy sessions all in one place.

Convenience models are revolutionizing access to mental health treatment.

In the United States, 65% of people aged 18 to 34 have had mental health concerns for themselves or for friends and family members since the outbreak of COVID-19, according to Aetna’s 2021 “Mental Health Pulse Survey”. This reflects a steep increase in symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2020 and 2021. To meet the need for help, convenience giants including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart are offering mental health services to their customers via virtual, app, and in-person appointments.

CVS Health began connecting licensed therapists to customers aged 18 and over in January 2021 via its CVS MinuteClinic providers. Customers can seek assessments, referrals, and even private consultations and counseling at select CVS pharmacies. Originally available in Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida, services have now expanded to New Jersey. CVS plans to expand its in-person and telehealth counseling services to cover 34 locations. The Walgreens Find Care program began in March 2021, offering virtual therapy sessions with licensed therapists, and currently also helps to coordinate appointments for customers seeking therapy. Thanks to the brand’s partnership with Mental Health America, customers can also schedule online mental health screenings with teletherapy companies BetterHelp and Sanvello.

Walmart, which acquired MeMD in May 2021, offers virtual mental health care in addition to its counseling services with Walmart Health. In June 2021, Rite Aid also started offering teletherapy sessions in 10 states: Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Why it’s interesting These convenience models are revolutionizing access to mental health treatment. Aligning counseling services with more traditional medical treatments and supplies will reshape the way consumers consider their mental health needs, closing the gap between physical and mental health care.