82% don’t know about mental illness insurance coverage: survey – Insurance News

A recent survey conducted by Sukoon Health shed light on the perceptions, awareness and experiences of mental health care in India. With 70% of respondents affirming the importance of diagnosing and treating mental health issues, the findings signal a significant shift in societal attitudes towards mental wellbeing. This growing understanding, catalyzed by initiatives like Mental Health Awareness Month, highlights a collective recognition that mental health is as vital as physical health.

Limited knowledge persists: The survey reveals significant gaps in knowledge regarding various mental health issues. Notably, 33.8% had little or no knowledge about alcohol and drug addiction, while 22% had moderate understanding. Knowledge gaps persisted for conditions such as bipolar disorder (25.7% limited knowledge), psychosis (54.67% minimal knowledge), schizophrenia (23.86% limited knowledge), severe anxiety (24.18% minimum knowledge) and severe depression (22.87% minimum knowledge). This knowledge highlights the urgent need for better mental health education to create a more informed and supportive society.

Prevalence of mental health disorders: Nearly 24% of respondents indicated that they or someone they knew reported experiencing a serious mental health disorder. This highlights the widespread impact of mental health issues within our society and demonstrates the urgency of prioritizing mental health at a societal level. Recognizing the scale of the number of people affected by mental health problems is not only a matter of compassion and empathy, but it also carries important implications for the allocation of resources within the mental health sector . One of the major challenges in the mental health landscape is the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.

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The importance of diagnosis and treatment: A significant 29% of participants agreed that mental health issues require appropriate diagnosis and treatment, demonstrating a broad understanding of the importance of mental health care and the need for support and intervention . About 33% of people actively seek treatment from therapists or counselors for serious mental health issues. This shift in societal attitudes towards mental wellbeing is significant, as it recognizes the need for diagnosis and treatment as a crucial step towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Various treatment experiences: Respondents reported varying experiences with mental health care, with 17% reporting very positive outcomes, while 15% faced very negative experiences. This highlights the need for personalized, person-centered approaches to care.

Barriers to seeking treatment: The survey identified significant barriers individuals face when seeking mental health treatment, including persistent stigma and fear of discrimination (30%), lack of awareness (26%), and constraints financial (15%). These findings highlight the multifaceted challenges individuals face when accessing mental health care and underscore the imperative need to overcome these barriers to create a more inclusive and supportive mental health ecosystem.

Insurance awareness: The survey also highlighted a pressing problem: 82% of respondents did not know that insurance could cover the costs of mental health treatment. This significant lack of awareness highlights the need for widespread education about available resources and support for mental health treatment, ensuring that individuals are aware of the options available to them.

Speaking on the survey findings, Vidit Bahri, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Sukoon Health, said, “The survey results highlighting a growing awareness of the importance of mental health in India, Sukoon is optimistic about the future. We are committed to helping individuals live fulfilling lives by recognizing and treating their diagnosis. By providing quality care, adopting a holistic approach and raising awareness, Sukoon aims to bridge the gap between mental health awareness and treatment. We ensure this through personalized treatment plans, evidence-based interventions, enabling facilities and, above all, compassionate care.