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Kansas Ranks Near the Middle for Access to Mental Healthcare. Here's How to Find Help
Telehealth and online care are helping more residents find providers, while cost and rural shortages still leave many adults unable to get treatment.
Mental Health America rankings score states across 10 measures for mental healthcare access. Research from LifeStance Health shows 75% of patients with moderate depression or anxiety experienced significant improvement regardless of region.
According to MHA, 60% of adults who needed mental healthcare in 2023 said they did not get it because they thought it would cost too much. Others weren't sure where to start, and 41% couldn't find a healthcare provider they wanted to see.
Virtual care is helping bridge these gaps, particularly for rural residents who may live at least 30 minutes from a mental health facility. Online options have expanded access through removing the need to travel to a provider's office.
Patients should start with their insurance provider directory or consult a primary care doctor for referral to a mental health provider. Employers may offer Employee Assistance Programs providing free, private counseling visits for workers.
Finding the right therapist is a process, not a test, so treat the first appointment as a conversation rather than a commitment. Individuals can switch providers if the first contact is not the right fit.