One-quarter of Americans made a new year’s resolution to improve their mental health in 2022 as reported in a poll by the American Psychiatric Association.
The past couple of years are taking their toll. So, the mental health crisis that’s been a growing concerning in the industry only continues to increase.
For example, the New York Times reported, “Nine out of 10 therapists say the number of clients seeking care is on the rise, and most are experiencing a significant surge in calls for appointments, longer waiting lists and difficulty meeting patient demand. Our analysis found that the higher demands for therapy are happening in every region and at similar rates in red and blue states. Former patients have returned for care, and new clients are seeking therapy for the first time.”
Their reasons for care included:
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Racial justice issues
- Financial stress
- Other issues that have surfaced during the upheaval of the past 18 months
With all this information, it’s important to stay on top of the mental health trends. Here are several from Psych Central’s list:
- Blood Tests for Mental Illness:
In April 2021, Indiana University School of Medicine developed a blood test for mental illness. It could help identify biological markers of depression, and the risk for developing serve depression and bipolar disorder. Plus, it could potentially help with tailoring medication choices.
- Healthy Boundaries with Social Media:
More and more has been coming out about the negative effects of social media. For instance, a former Facebook employee testified before Congress in October 2021 in the impact of Instagram on teens’ mental health. There is even such a thing called “doom scrolling” — the habit of scrolling through numerous new stories on the web and social media. So, the question becomes: What role does your organization and/or marketing need to play in helping set these healthy boundaries? If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of social media, the Centre of Humane Technology has some great toolkits with presentations and discussion questions that could be useful for workshops or development.
- Virtual Mental Health Services:
Telehealth picked up in 2020 and 2021. And it isn’t going anywhere. Like virtual fitness, virtual mental health services are convenient. On top of this, they help open doors to individuals with a variety of needs. These could include those who are immunocompromised, have transportation challenges or have physical disabilities. In fact, Fierce Healthcare’s 2022 forecast predicted five digital health markets to watch that included telehealth and digital mental health apps.
In conclusion, mental health trends must remain at the top of the conversation. How can health clubs and fitness centers utilize these for servicing members in the area of mental health?
