Survey Highlights Gap in Emotional Support

A recent survey found that two-thirds of Americans who shared their mental health struggles felt unsupported in their conversations.

This survey, which included 2,000 adults, indicated that whenever things get tough, many people turn to friends and family—nearly half actually do so. However, about 32% of respondents didn’t receive the help they hoped for; the individuals they reached out to were often faced with their own issues.

Additionally, a quarter of those surveyed felt the person they confided in couldn’t truly grasp their situation.

Interestingly, even though 33% of individuals seek emotional support at least weekly, 74% are concerned about being a burden to others.

As a result, 69% eventually felt overwhelmed and withdrew from seeking help altogether.

This survey was commissioned by BetterHelp to support the launch of their Therapist Match Commitment. The initiative aims to ensure clients find a therapist suited to their specific needs, promoting better outcomes.

Fernando Madeira, the president of BetterHelp, noted, “While our loved ones provide essential emotional support, this data clearly shows a disconnect between the support needed and what even the most caring friends and family can realistically provide.”

He elaborated that many people lack the necessary training or tools to assist someone through life’s challenges, which can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed on both sides.

Though almost half of friends and family members encourage their loved ones to seek therapy, 20% ultimately do not follow through. Affordability is a significant barrier, impacting 44% of respondents, while 29% felt they could handle their issues alone.

Moreover, 75% of those surveyed expressed difficulty in finding the “right” therapist, leading to many feeling stuck.

Among those who did seek professional help, 32% struggled to find a suitable therapist, and a substantial 74% either skipped sessions or discontinued therapy altogether.

Madeira mentioned that 72% of clients at BetterHelp experienced symptom reduction within 12 weeks. He added, “We often hear from people who have tried therapy but didn’t resonate with it, thinking it wasn’t for them or that their issues were too complex. In reality, they may just not have found the right therapist yet.”

To address this, BetterHelp has invested heavily in refining their matching process over more than a decade. Madeira emphasized that the right match makes a significant difference; over 75% of people continue working with their therapist after being matched, and 82% would recommend their therapist.