Examination of Young US Adults’ Reasons for Not Seeking Mental Health Care for Depression, 2011-2019

Abstract

Although this study is limited by potential social desirability bias based on self-reports, cost was consistently the most prominent barrier to seeking depression treatment among young adults from 2011 to 2019. In addition, young adults increasingly reported inadequate insurance coverage for mental health treatment. Since its implementation in 2014, the Medicaid expansion has reduced the rate of uninsured individuals and improved access to care for adults with depression. Immediate policy actions are needed, therefore, to close the Medicaid coverage gap, especially for Native American individuals. More outreach campaigns are also warranted to increase young adults' awareness of local mental health services, particularly among Hispanic and Asian communities. Last, destigmatizing mental health treatment should be prioritized among young adults, with genderspecific engagement interventions for men.