healthy
behavioral health
We envision a healthy athens
The topic of behavioral health includes both mental health and substance use issues. Latest Athens Wellbeing Project data on general healthcare access have shown significant erosion in the average Athens household’s ability to access the primary mental and dental care they need. Uninsurance rose from 17% to 22% between 2019 and 2022. Anxiety and depression prevalence have risen as well over one third of households have had a health professional diagnose at least one person in the household with these conditions.
WORKFORCE ISSUES
Over one third of households in Athens have a member diagnosed with anxiety or depression and those numbers are still on the rise. With the growing need for behavioral health services our goal is to help increase the number of providers available to all people, reduce provider burnout, and increase the number of affordable inpatient beds for mental health services.
ACCESSING SERVICES
When it comes to accessing health services, the biggest issue in Athens right now is affordability of care. Due to the current cost of insurance plans, underinsurance has become a big issue. Along with underinsurance, many families struggle with finding appropriate transportation to bring them to daily and weekly treatment appointments. Families are also struggling to find the time to get to therapy and medication appointments. While Telehealth has helped medical accessibility, healthcare is not yet completely accessible in Athens.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
There is a large gap of healthcare services for the children and youth of Athens. Treatment for mental health needs and substance use is severely lacking. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these issues with the loss and grief of caregivers along with loss of social capital. These matters have led to a major need for youth prevention of substance use and outreach for youth behavioral health.
MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA
One of the most paramount factors that causes people to avoid treatment for mental health or substance use is stigma around these matters. Stigmas around mental health and substance use influences people toward resisting treatment because of the lack of encouragement regarding these treatments. People with health insurance often overlook their own mental health or substance use needs due to the fear of losing their job or their employer’s perception of them changing. This barrier has been noticed to be even more significant for men and communities of color.
workforce issues
Over one third of households in Athens have a member diagnosed with anxiety or depression and those numbers are still on the rise. With the growing need for behavioral health services our goal is to help increase the number of providers available to all people, reduce provider burnout, and increase the number of affordable inpatient beds for mental health services.
accessing services
When it comes to accessing health services, the biggest issue in Athens right now is affordability of care. Due to the current cost of insurance plans, underinsurance has become a big issue. Along with underinsurance, many families struggle with finding appropriate transportation to bring them to daily and weekly treatment appointments. Families are also struggling to find the time to get to therapy and medication appointments. While Telehealth has helped medical accessibility, healthcare is not yet completely accessible in Athens.
children & youth
There is a large gap of healthcare services for the children and youth of Athens. Treatment for mental health needs and substance use is severely lacking. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these issues with the loss and grief of caregivers along with loss of social capital. These matters have led to a major need for youth prevention of substance use and outreach for youth behavioral health.
mental health stigma
One of the most paramount factors that causes people to avoid treatment for mental health or substance use is stigma around these matters. Stigmas around mental health and substance use influences people toward resisting treatment because of the lack of encouragement regarding these treatments. People with health insurance often overlook their own mental health or substance use needs due to the fear of losing their job or their employer’s perception of them changing. This barrier has been noticed to be even more significant for men and communities of color.
