Mental Health Services and Insurance Companies

Why does counseling cost so much? Do they think someone who really needs help is able to pay such staggering amounts? What if the illness is mentally disabling? Do they expect these individuals to be high achievers with astounding paychecks? Why do more companies have more out-patient service coverage than in-house? Why does counseling cost so much? Why is it companies cut your pay the longer you are out on medical leave? The longer you are out of work, I think it is safe to say, the individual needs more time and more help. Why is there a set limit on the number of visits one can make to receive counseling that is required to alleviate, or lesson symptoms of the clinically depressed, or otherwise mentally troubled people? Do insurance companies actually think less visits allowed will stimulate someone to speed up their recovery time, like the rate of nervous breakdowns in our society are declining?Why limit counseling sessions to fifty minutes if the main purpose is to help people in need? Like the job market is bombarded with new and promising opportunities for employment, especially for people who are unstable.

Good health insurance is not so easily acquired; neither is finding a new job with better health insurance. So why it is our choices are so limited? (In Canada health insurance is actually paid for.) Considering the fact one does not choose to have a mental illness, companies should care enough for their people to offer guidance (a person an employee feels comfortable talking to.) It’s bad enough that business is enforcing lean manufacturing; in laymen’s terms: Less people to do more work equals more profit. At what sacrifice? Companies no longer care for individuals, their families or their state of mind. They may act like it until the day comes you really needs to take off to get professional help!
Another point to consider, are the millions of people without health insurance. I’m not talking about the elderly or the poor, but the young and capable. Those who would rather receive treatment and hope that the state picks up the bill. You know the type: Irresponsible parents raising children to believe life owes them something just for being alive! The healthy young adults working minimum wage jobs, living in houses long paid for by an elderly relative. Who has since passed away only to leave their hard earned money and assets to lazy bums, who also, go to the hospital for free! Meanwhile responsible people work hard to keep good health insurance, tanked up on anti-depressants, downers and other anti-anxiety drugs just to cope and make it through the day. Where is the motivation for future generations to strive to be decent human beings,or at least hold down average paying jobs? Just to pay for insurance that is not even considered a big thing for those without it, who still get the care they need.

People need bosses and managers that actually care whether or not you show up at work, people need family and friends to listen to them and lend them their ear. People need to start helping other people; caring about the health and well being of their friends and neighbors. Without these individuals, our future may not hold much hope for anyone suffering from mental instability. These same people, in insurance, need to take these ethics to work with them everyday: Do unto others as you would want done unto you, and your family.