Column: The struggle to find long-term mental health aid in Chapel Hill

As I’m writing this, I received my fifth rejection email from a therapist this week alone. The dreaded “I’m not accepting new clients” message will be a topic of discussion once I’m finally able to begin counseling.

My experience is not unique. In a community of students navigating their mental health, often worsened by the pandemic, finding quality long-term therapy is an insurmountable feat.

The shortcomings of on-campus mental health resources are the first obstacles to this mental health journey. UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term care in the form of initial consultations and group therapy, as well as outreach services and referrals.

Missing from this menu is long-term care, a service that CAPS lacks the capacity for and has no intention to provide in the future. Roughly 30 to 40 staff members work for the program, including interns, providers and support staff.

These numbers seem minuscule when compared to the nearly 20,000 undergraduate students at UNC who might rely on CAPS at some point during their academic careers.

Knowing its pitfalls, my search for a therapist began on Psychology Today, a website recommended to me by friends who also struggled to find support through CAPS. I have doubts about whether long-term counseling would be covered by my insurance, so shopping for therapists means keeping cost in mind.

The average therapy session costs between $100 and $200 in the U.S., with higher prices often indicating more training or specializations. Those out of network must pay this out of pocket every time they see a counselor — an enormous detriment to financial and mental wellbeing.

While 56 percent of those surveyed in a National Council for Behavioral Health report wanted to pursue mental health treatment, 42 percent said the cost of treatment and limitations of their health care coverage prevented them from doing so.

This process does not even consider access to psychiatrists, crucial mental health professionals that can treat severe mental illness and prescribe medications. Without insurance, consultations can cost upward of $300, with follow-ups priced comparably to a single therapy session.

Although the website allowed me to sort counselors by specialization, price and location, my options were greatly limited, as I do not want to travel beyond Chapel Hill and have a preference for telehealth appointments.

Between those accepting new clients and with flexible pricing, I was left with only LCSW Associates — therapists working toward their LCSW qualification — that were responsive. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it underscores the limited supply of professionals in the field currently.

In fact, we can include mental health professionals in the discussion of shortages brought on by the pandemic. Of those surveyed by the American Psychological Association, 74 percent report having increased demand for treatment, particularly for anxiety disorders. The strain leaves many potential patients unable to get in front of already-overworked counselors.

I was fortunate enough to hear back from an LCSWA who would be willing to take me on as a client.

My initial consultation isn’t for another two weeks, and I’m dreading the potential to start this long process over again if the consultation does not go as anticipated.

This is not to deter you from starting the search for a therapist. The journey looks different for everyone, and I regret waiting until nearly my twenty-first year to begin the process that I hope will relieve so much anxiety in my life.

The process, however, must get easier. It must become more accessible. We need dedicated mental health professionals on our campus willing to provide long-term care, regardless of whether or not other universities have adopted this model of mental health care.

It’s time for UNC to lead the change for college students wanting to take control of their mental and emotional wellbeing.

@caitlyn_yaede

opinion@dailytarheel.com

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