Psychiatrists have found an alternative to the vast public mental hospital systems that have long existed in the United States. This is where venture capitalists have found a great incentive to dream big and provide mental health care services to a wider audience.
tenth-leading cause of death-Mental Health Care
Despite the growing number of suicides in the U.S. suicide is still the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. Suicide is a complex phenomenon influenced by a dynamic interaction of multiple risk factors.
Suicide is a global problem that affects societies throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized suicide as a global public health issue and urges countries to strengthen their comprehensive suicide prevention strategies.
Suicide rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The prevalence of firearms and economic hardship are also contributing factors.
Suicide is a complex phenomenon that is often impulsive. A breakdown in problem-solving skills often causes suicides. Approximately one person attempts suicide every 31 seconds. Suicide rates have increased dramatically in the United States in the past decade.
Three largest mental health care
Even though nearly one-quarter of American adults report symptoms of depression, anxiety, or emotional distress, only one-third of primary care practices in the United States have a mental health professional in practice. In contrast, more than 90 percent of the Netherlands and Sweden’s primary care practices have a mental health professional in practice.
In addition to the capacity issues in the United States, experts point to the cultural stigma surrounding. A significant share of adults in Switzerland and the Netherlands do not want to see a professional when they experience emotional distress. In addition, gay men and bisexuals face additional barriers to accessing mental health care.
There is a wide range of mental health care services, including outpatient treatment, prescription medication, and inpatient treatment. The largest providers in the United States are Los Angeles County, Cook County, and Rikers Island in New York.
While the United States has the largest mental health workforce of any country, the total supply of healthcare workers is smaller than in other countries. This inability to provide high-quality care could contribute to poor mental health outcomes.
Psychiatrists found alternatives-Mental Health Care
Psychiatrists have found an alternative to the vast public mental hospital systems of the past. Nowadays, many regions combine their mental health units with their general hospital counterparts. Most primary care practices in the U.S. have a mental health professional on staff.
Using the appropriate medical terminology, mental health facilities are more specialty hospitals than general medical institutions. The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems found that the average Medicare patient was rehospitalized within one year of discharge. In addition to the usual suspects, a recent study found that 23% of discharged patients engaged in suicidal behavior within one year of release. Fortunately, a large percentage of the mentally ill population will never need hospitalization. In a nutshell, psychiatric hospitals aren’t the be-all and end-all of. Rather, they are a useful tool in the mental health toolkit.
Venture capitalists have the incentive to dream big
Investing in mental health care is now a huge deal for venture capitalists. This is not motivated by profit but by improving access to millions of people. The mental health landscape is transforming, including new investments supporting various technologies.
The number of people in the U.S. suffering from anxiety and depression is rising. The adult population is reportedly at 42%. This is a significant increase from 11% in 2019. The rise in anxiety and depression rates also highlights a nationwide shortage of mental health providers. Despite this, reimbursement rates continue to be a major issue in the mental health industry.
As the number of consumers needing continues to rise, venture capitalists have a strong incentive to invest in new products. In 2016, C.B. Insights tracked 124 deals. It’s estimated that by the third quarter of 2021, $3.1 billion will be invested in mental health ventures.