Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?
The survey found 68% of respondents have at least one hesitation, with side effects and long-term dependency the top concerns, Thriveworks said.
- Thriveworks' 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report, surveying 2,000 U.S. adults via Wakefield Research in March 2026, found that 47% of Americans have been prescribed mental health medication, yet 68% still report at least one hesitation about taking it.
- Generational divides shape these reservations, with 80% of Gen Z and 73% of Millennials reporting hesitation compared to 56% of Boomers, while Hispanic adults showed the highest hesitation rate at 78% and Black adults the lowest medication use at 36%.
- Talk therapy remains the preferred care method for 51% of people, while 35% favor combining therapy with medication and only 14% view medication alone as the most suitable approach.
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Kate Hanselman suggests American culture is "very bootstrappy," pressuring people to manage challenges alone, while licensed clinical social worker Jami Dumler notes stigma often obscures how many people actually use medication.
- Viewing medication as a "tool in our toolbox" rather than a "crutch" can help address barriers, with experts emphasizing that treatment—like allergy medication—requires personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant? - The Mexico Ledger
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?Next time you’re at a party, look around and consider this: Nearly half of the people in the room have probably taken mental health medication at some point. Still, most people feel uneasy about it.That’s one of the central findings in Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report—the third annual nationally representative survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, co…
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Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?
Thriveworks reports nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, yet 68% remain hesitant due to stigma and fears of side effects.
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant? - Stateline Publications
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?Next time you’re at a party, look around and consider this: Nearly half of the people in the room have probably taken mental health medication at some point. Still, most people feel uneasy about it.That’s one of the central findings in Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report—the third annual nationally representative survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, co…
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant? - Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise
Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication, so why are 68% still hesitant?Next time you’re at a party, look around and consider this: Nearly half of the people in the room have probably taken mental health medication at some point. Still, most people feel uneasy about it.That’s one of the central findings in Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report—the third annual nationally representative survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, co…
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