Despite a national mental health provider shortage, there are many ways to access care. The key is to know how and where to look for the type of care you need. In this blog, we explore a few options for taking care of your mental health needs.

Nearly 33% of Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health care providers, and 51.6% of Texans live in areas with a less-than-adequate number of providers. The growing number of mental health concerns during the pandemic stretched those numbers even thinner.

Whether you’re looking for medication management or therapy 一 for anxiety or depression or any other mental health condition 一 Sanket Vyas, MD, and the Nurocoach team are on a mission to help improve access to care during this national mental health shortage.

Here’s what you need to know about accessing care during a mental health shortage.

Know where to go

First and foremost, learn where you can find mental health care. You don’t need to wait until your condition exacerbates before you start researching your options. If you’re starting to struggle, even a little bit, don’t hesitate to seek care.

Here at Nurocoach, our team provides full-service mental health care in Katy and Houston, Texas. However, through our access to a national network of highly qualified therapists, we can provide therapy beyond Katy and Houston via our telehealth network.

If you are in crisis

Regardless of what city or state you live in, you can always access 24/7 care if you’re in crisis. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call 9-1-1 or head to your local emergency department.

You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) at any time day or night to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Find other sources of mental health support

In addition to seeking professional health care services, there are many ways you can support your mental wellness between appointments. This includes:

• Support groups
• Reading more about your specific conditions
• Listening to mental health podcasts
• Exercising, which helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, combat negative mood, improve self-esteem, and boost cognitive function
• Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient known to support brain health
• Practicing good sleep hygiene

Additionally, continue to take any prescribed medication as directed and continue to use the strategies you learn during your therapy sessions.

Take your next step today

Whether you’re ready to explore the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), don’t hesitate to reach out to our compassionate and expert team. Dr. Vyas, MD, and our team provide these services in-person in our Katy and Houston, Texas, offices.

Our team is experienced in diagnosing and treating a range of mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder
• ADHD
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Addiction
• Bipolar disorder

Even if you aren’t local to these two cities, you can still access mental health care through an experienced network. This may be right for you if you’re interested in telehealth appointments for virtual therapy.

Note: Not all of our services can be offered via telehealth.

In either case, we encourage you to reach out to Nurocoach today. You can call us or simply send us a message through our online form. Remember, asking for help is always a sign of strength, and we’re here to support you on your mental health journey.