Challenges beyond mental health disorders can stand in the way of effective treatment. Mental healthcare systems, especially providers, need to consider their patients' unique socioeconomic barriers and understand how these hurdles may affect treatment outcomes.
Socioeconomic status refers to an individual or group's position in society as determined by income level, education, occupation, and at times living conditions. The status shapes the level of access to resources in critical areas like mental healthcare. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may experience barriers to mental healthcare due to limited financial resources.
These barriers might take the form of a lack of nearby providers and less flexible job schedules which prevents regular appointments required for most psychotherapy treatment plans. Another factor is discussed in a 2018 Society and Mental Health study, “Exposure to everyday discrimination and residential segregation may predispose members of racial/ethnic minority groups to attribute symptoms of psychological distress to these experiences and situations and not to an underlying mental disorder.”
Related: Using email and text messaging in health advocacy
When discussing socioeconomic status there are certain words that have the power to shape perceptions. Language that unintentionally assigns blame or deficiency can reinforce harmful stereotypes by ignoring the border societal and structural factors influencing people’s lives. American Psychological Association provides an alternative, “Instead, use specific, person-first language such as “mothers who receive TANF benefits” rather than “welfare mothers” (“TANF” stands for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” and is the proper term for the current welfare program in the United States).”
Specific examples of more careful language include:
Inclusive mental healthcare considers the unique needs of each patient, and email allows providers to reach patients in diverse socioeconomic circumstances. An example of this is the way in which email can make mental health support available to clients who may not have the flexibility to attend frequent appointments due to work or family obligations.
HIPAA compliant email platforms like Paubox strengthen this inclusivity by giving mental health practitioners a secure method of sharing patient information during interactions allowing for more detailed discussions through email. This creates a more well-rounded approach to mental healthcare that accounts for the needs of all patients regardless of status.
It protects people’s medical records and personal health information
Psychiatrists generally need patient's consent to discuss treatment, especially when sharing information with others outside the healthcare team.
Encryption, secure access controls, and regular monitoring of PHI.