Skip to main content
MCHS_Logo_2024_BLACK
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery (Bones)
      • Primary Care
      • Spine Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Lake City
      • Lake Crystal
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Rochester
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals

    Recent Posts

    • Charlie Pierce
      Patient Stories
      The sound of success: How improved hearing aids career change
      May 01, 2025
    • Produce aisle shopping
      Speaking of Health
      Want to reduce chronic inflammation? Start with your grocery list
      April 24, 2025
    • Know Your Numbers Cholesterol
      Speaking of Health
      Know your numbers: Cholesterol
      April 24, 2025
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight-loss (Bariatric) Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Monday, February 20, 2023

    Overcoming stigmas, barriers to mental healthcare

    Topics in this Post
    • Behavioral Health
    Smiling child in ivory sweater

    The COVID-19 pandemic shined a glaring light on the deep underlying need for mental healthcare — and the barriers and stigmas surrounding access to care. These barriers and stigmas aren't new. They affect people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels, as well as those from cultures and religions who view mental health according to their traditions. But they particularly affect people of color and those with fewer resources.

    One of the biggest barriers to care is navigating the system. It's not easy. And, for many, they're already navigating healthcare, education, employment and other systems. It's just one more, and it can be overwhelming. Once they do make progress, they still may not be matched with the right care at the right time.

    Fear is another barrier, including fear of seeking unfamiliar care and of unfamiliar conditions; fear of how they'll be viewed if friends and family know they're receiving mental health support; fear of appearing weak or not capable enough to cope; fear of fallout from what a child may share with a mental health professional; fear of the cost; and fear of further stress on an already fragile family.

    Cultures and religions may have differing views of mental health. There may be pressure to be as strong and capable as previous generations. Not living up to that standard may make people feel "less than" and that they need to be better.

    Breaking barriers, building relationships

    Sometimes it may take a heartfelt talk with a friend or a crisis to break a barrier and take that first step toward mental healthcare. Once a connection is made with a trained professional, treatment is most effective when a trusting relationship forms.

    The same barriers and stigmas affect kids, too. They also have the 24/7 pressure of social media, just at a time when their social status is tied to their self-worth.

    But most children have a parent, relative, caregiver, teacher or other trusted adult to take the initial step for them. Changes in behavior, acting out, not able to focus, being withdrawn, not doing well in school and other easily-observed clues can be indicators of underlying mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety.

    When adults see children struggling, they'll seek the avenues to help them. That also may mean seeking mental healthcare for the entire family to ensure struggling children have a wraparound, supportive environment.

    The main thing is for adults and kids to get the help they need to manage symptoms and make progress along their mental health journey.

    The glaring light of the pandemic significantly raised awareness and acceptance of mental healthcare. And with that awareness has come funding, especially for children, to increase the number of counselors and overall access to care.

    Laquita Becker is a clinical therapist in Psychiatry & Psychology in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Youth and Family Services director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse.

    Topics in this Post
    • Behavioral Health

    Related Posts

    Hands holding cellphone Suicide crisis: How to develop your safety plan
    Teen outdoors looking to left How youth marijuana, alcohol use impacts life
    Group of teens 5 ways to help teens overcome suicidal thoughts

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Price Transparency
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Manage Cookie
    © 2018 - 2025 Mayo Clinic Health System