How to find the right mental health solution for you

Did you know that the average delay between symptom onset of a mental illness and treatment is 11 years? Therapy is just one form of treatment that aims to resolve emotional distress and mental health problems. Continue reading to learn how you can support your mental health.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in 2021 alone, 22.8% of adults in the United States experienced mental illness. This represents 57.8 million people or one in five adults – and that number only grows when you add youth to the mix.

For those living with mental illness, therapy can be a great form of treatment to keep symptoms at bay. In fact, per Mental Health America, it’s been proven to reduce disability, morbidity, and mortality, while improving work function and decreasing psychiatric hospitalization. It also “leads to fewer relapses of anxiety and mild-to-moderate depression than medication use alone.”

Therapy may also help you by:

• Improving your communication skills
• Making you feel empowered
• Providing you with fresh insights about life
• Teaching you to make healthier choices
• Helping you develop coping strategies to manage distress

What’s particularly wonderful about therapy is its widespread application. Everyone, whether they have a diagnosed mental illness or not, experiences mental health, which means they can benefit from therapy. Whether you’re burnt out from work or stressed about interpersonal relationships, there’s a form of therapy to help you through it.

What kind of therapy is right for me?

Therapists offer a range of options. Depending on your personality and the nature of the problem being treated, a therapist can help you choose the best type of therapy for your situation. According to NAMI, some of the most common forms of therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of therapy that focuses on how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. During CBT, a therapist will work with you to uncover unhealthy thinking patterns and how they may negatively impact your well-being. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Originally created to treat clients with borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted to treat a variety of mental illnesses. This form of therapy is heavily CBT-based but emphasizes validating and accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings rather than struggling with them.
• Interpersonal Therapy: This therapy focuses on your relationships with others to improve your interpersonal skills. Most commonly, interpersonal therapy is used to treat depression.

There are many types of therapy, and what works for someone else might not work for you. That’s why it’s important to work with your therapist to determine which therapy best suits your needs.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you can find a behavioral health provider using Mass General Brigham Health Plan’s Find a Doctor tool. All members have access to Optum Health, a platform where you can find mental health support and, depending on your plan, you may also have access to Lyra, one of our mental health benefits. Check your schedule of benefits for more information.

You can also visit our Behavioral Health page for useful resources to help support your behavioral health needs, including mental health and substance use.

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