Barriers to Mental Health Care for People With Disabilities

Barriers to mental health care for people with disabilities can often be overlooked. Consequently, the quality of life for an already vulnerable population may deteriorate.

Whether you have a disability yourself or you care for someone with a disability, you should strive to understand how mental health issues may affect you or your loved one. It’s important to be aware of the barriers people with disabilities face when seeking mental health care and learn ways to overcome them.

Mental Health Stigma and Lack of Awareness

A major barrier to mental health care for people with disabilities is a lack of awareness on the part of healthcare providers, caretakers, and individuals with disabilities.

As of 2022,  over a quarter of Americans live with disability. A disability is defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as any physical or mental impairment that inhibits a person from participating in an activity or engaging with the world around them.

Although we have become more sensitive to the needs of people with physical disabilities, there is less awareness regarding the mental health issues that lead to disabilities.

Major depressive disorder and chronic anxiety, for instance, are mental health conditions that may cause disability if left untreated. People suffering from these conditions may overlook or dismiss the symptoms associated with these conditions due to a lack of awareness.

More serious mental disabilities like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may carry a stigma that dissuades sufferers from seeking mental health care.

People who suffer from physical disabilities are also vulnerable to poor mental health care due to stigma and limited awareness. According to the CDC, adults with disabilities suffer from mental distress five times more often than other adults.

Additionally, healthcare providers may not always be equipped with the knowledge to adequately treat people with disabilities, including those with traumatic brain injury or mental health conditions. This lack of specialized training can lead to challenges in providing the appropriate care and support for individuals with these complex needs.

Limited Financial Resources and Poor Accessibility

The high cost of mental health care as well as limited accessibility options, are additional barriers to mental health care for people with disabilities.

Though people with disabilities are more likely to be covered by Medicare or Medicaid, a survey conducted in 2015 by the National Disability Institute found that they are twice as likely to have medical debt. They also found that less than a third of adults with disabilities were employed that same year, and the rate of poverty in that population was double that of the general adult population of the United States.

Existing medical debt due to their disability may deter disabled adults from pursuing mental health care when needed. The high cost of care can also act as a barrier to mental health care in light of limited employment options and higher poverty levels. In such cases, mental disabilities criminal defense is essential to ensure that their legal rights are protected, and they receive appropriate treatment and representation.

In addition to cost, poor accessibility options can also negatively affect access to mental health care for people with disabilities. These can include:

• No or insufficient transportation options to and from appointments
• No access to technology for telehealth appointments
• Limited options for people with visual or auditory disabilities
• Language barriers between the patient and healthcare provider
• Limited scheduling options

Existing medical debt due to their disability may deter disabled adults from pursuing mental health care when needed. The high cost of care can also act as a barrier to mental health care in light of limited employment options and higher poverty levels. Additionally, improving mental health care in colleges is crucial, as students with disabilities or mental health conditions may face unique challenges in accessing care and support while pursuing their education. Addressing these issues can help reduce barriers and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, receive the mental health care they need.

Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care for People With Disabilities

For those with disabilities, overcoming barriers to mental health care access can be a challenge. While it may seem like an insurmountable problem, you can help yourself and others by taking the following steps:

• Do Your Research. Learn more about mental health problems and their symptoms, and understand how suffering from a disability can create or exacerbate mental health issues.
• Find community or government resources that may help you access affordable healthcare and options for appropriate transportation, translation, or other aids to get the mental health care needed.
• Build Awareness. Share mental health resources with your loved ones, caretakers, and other disabled individuals so they can understand the impact of mental health on individuals with disabilities.
• Discuss your mental health questions with your healthcare provider and express your concerns about inadequate access to mental health care.
• Know Your Rights. Speak with the insurance provider to learn more about the mental health care options available to you or your loved ones. Discuss ancillary benefits for people with disabilities like transportation options and translation services.

FAQs

What Mental Health Issues Might People With Disabilities Face?

Many adults in the United States are affected by mental disabilities like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorders, among others. Additionally, people with both mental and physical disabilities are more vulnerable to mental distress and may develop conditions like depression and anxiety as a result of living with a disability. Daily life stresses, difficult treatments, and isolation contribute to the development of mental health issues.

What Barriers to Mental Healthcare Do People With Disabilities Face?

People with disabilities face numerous barriers when it comes to accessing adequate mental health care. Lack of awareness regarding mental health symptoms, stigma, and limited knowledge on the part of healthcare providers cause delays in appropriate care.

Limited accessibility options, including inadequate transportation and aid for the auditory and visually impaired, add additional hurdles. Insufficient financial resources may also deter people with disabilities from accessing quality mental health care.

How Can I Help a Loved One Who Is Disabled Get Mental Health Care?

Educating yourself and your loved one’s health care provider about potential mental health issues is key to helping a disabled loved one get the mental health care they need. Learning more about the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as about your loved one’s disability, can lead to a better understanding of what mental health resources should be sought.

Reach out to hospitals or clinics for help, and connect with community organizations or others with disabilities for more information on available resources.

What Mental Health Resources Are Available to People With Disabilities?

Mental health resources, including educational and financial resources, may be available through clinics, hospitals, community organizations, and your local and state government, as well as the CDC and other major organizations catering to people with disabilities.

Request a Consultation with Elizabeth Kelley, Attorney at Law

Facing barriers to mental health care makes disabled individuals more vulnerable to the legal system. Elizabeth Kelley, Attorney at Law, has extensive experience successfully defending those with mental disabilities who’ve been charged with crimes. She understands the unique challenges faced by these defendants and their families, and she’s eager to represent your interests in court. Request a consultation today.