Nearly half of Americans turn to friends and family when life becomes overwhelming, according to a new survey of 2,000 adults. But while many seek comfort in their personal circles, most say the support they receive often falls short.
Two-thirds of respondents who opened up about their struggles said the person they confided in was unable to help them cope. About a quarter felt misunderstood, while others said their confidant was too weighed down by their own problems to offer meaningful support.
Although 33 percent seek emotional support at least once a week, 74 percent worry they are placing too much pressure on those around them. That fear of being a burden has kept 69 percent from speaking up at all, even when they needed help.
The survey was conducted by BetterHelp to mark the launch of its Therapist Match Commitment, a program designed to pair clients with a mental health professional suited to their individual needs.
Fernando Madeira, president of BetterHelp, said the findings highlight a clear gap between the help people need and the help their loved ones are able to give. “While our loved ones provide invaluable emotional support, this data reveals a clear gap between the support people need and what even the most caring friends and family can realistically provide,” he said.
“Many of us simply aren’t equipped with the training or emotional tools to help someone manage life’s many challenges. And when both people are already under stress, these conversations can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed.”
Even when friends and family encourage loved ones to try therapy, many still do not follow through. Cost remains the biggest barrier, and a third of respondents said they preferred to handle things on their own.
Finding the right therapist is another major hurdle. Seventy-five percent of people said the challenge of choosing a suitable therapist stopped them from pursuing mental health care. Among those who did try therapy, 32 percent struggled to find a provider who was the right fit, leading 74 percent to skip sessions or end therapy entirely.
Madeira said mismatched therapy experiences can derail a person’s willingness to seek help again. “We hear from people all the time who say they tried therapy once, it didn’t click, and they assumed therapy just ‘wasn’t for them’ or that their problems were too complicated to fix,” he said. “The reality is, they may just have not yet found the right therapist.”
BetterHelp reports a 72 percent reduction in symptoms among its clients over 12 weeks and says its improved matching system has helped more than three out of four clients stay with their therapist. Madeira added that 82 percent of users would recommend their therapist to others, a sign that finding the right match can change lives.