Community Survey: What Prevents You From Starting or Continuing Therapy?

At Healthy Minds Alliance, we want to hear from our community. This survey will help us understand what barriers exist to starting therapy (even when low-cost options are available, virtual, or in person) and what barriers exist to continuing consistently once someone has started. It’s anonymous and takes 2–3 minutes.

1.Even if therapy is low-cost, income-based, available virtually or in person, and with flexible hours (afternoons/evenings and Saturdays), what other barriers prevent you from starting therapy/counseling? (Select all that apply.)

I don’t have time.

Cost is still a barrier.

Childcare / family responsibilities.

Work schedule.

I don’t know how to get started / how to make an appointment.

I feel embarrassed or ashamed (stigma).

Fear of talking about my problems

I don’t trust therapy / I don’t think it will help me.

I prefer to handle it on my own.

Other:

2.After starting therapy/counseling, what makes it difficult for you to continue and be consistent? (Select all that apply.)

I don't have time.

It’s hard for me to pay for each session.

I forget / I miss appointments.

Work or schedule changes.

Childcare / family responsibilities.

I don’t feel a connection with the therapist.

I don’t feel like it’s helping me.

It’s hard for me to talk about difficult topics.

I don’t like virtual appointments.

Transportation

Other:

3.From 1 to 10, how important is it for you to take care of your mental health right now?
Scale: 1 (not important at all) — 10 (very important)

1- Not important at all.

5- Somewhat important.

10- Very important.

4.What are you currently doing to take care of your mental health? (Select all that apply.)

Therapy / counseling.

Medication (prescribed).

Talking with family or friends.

Exercise.

Prayer / faith / church / pastor / priest.

Meditation / breathing exercises.

Journaling / writing.

Relaxing activities (music, walking, hobbies).

Support groups.

No estoy haciendo nada en este momento

I’m not doing anything right now.

Other:

5.What can we do to encourage more people to use mental health services? (Select all that apply.)

More information about how therapy works.

More available appointment times.

More virtual (online) services.