Jamie Yoon, 10th Grade

Every year, millions of people undergo medical screenings to monitor their physical health. These screenings have enabled the early detection of diseases and better management of chronic illnesses (1). Along with these screenings, primary health check-ups are comprehensive evaluations that monitor an individual’s overall health. Such tools have transformed healthcare, allowing millions to maintain their physical well-being better than ever. Yet, an individual’s mental health is often overlooked. It is well-documented that mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined. Poor management of mental illnesses impacts the body’s ability to maintain a healthy system. It can increase the risk of a weakened immune system, often leading to other physical health problems (2). Despite this key connection, mental health assessments are largely absent from these routine health check-ups. With so many outside factors, like the rising use of social media and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health should be taken more seriously. Therefore, integrating mental health assessments into routine health care check-ups can ensure early detection and treatment, as well as reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

In recent years, the widespread presence of mental health issues has significantly risen. The increasing use of social media, combined with prevalent societal pressure, has brought levels of FOMO (fear of missing out) and anxiety to an alarming level (6). Around 56% of all social media users experience the fear of being left out, and as a result, about 51% of all users log onto social media more often than they did two years ago (3). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health issues have increased by 13% over the last ten years (4). It is estimated that one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental health disorder. Furthermore, the entire world entered a global shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The global outbreak further exacerbated these levels to more than a 3-fold increase (5). Before the pandemic, the rate of serious psychological distress (SPD) in U.S. adults was consistently between 3% to 4% (6). By the first year of the pandemic, anxiety and depression levels rose by 25% in individuals (7). These findings emphasize the urgent need for routine mental health screenings in primary health care. As the percentage of mental health issues only increases, it should be prioritized more.

Unfortunately, to this day, mental health care remains significantly undervalued. Individuals with mental illness frequently face stigma and discrimination, which often come from a lack of understanding (8). Oftentimes, people avoid seeking treatment due to the fear of being judged. This often leads to social isolation and reduces the likelihood of staying in treatment (8). About nine out of ten people with a mental health illness confess that stigma has had a negative impact on their lives (9). Eight in ten people report that the fear of being discriminated against and prejudged has affected the choices they made (10). This includes about 61% of people affected by it refusing to seek help, 69% unable to disclose their mental condition to family or friends, and 61% unable to apply for a job (10). Including mental health assessments in routine health care check-ups normalizes mental health issues and reduces the stigma or prejudgment about the patients (10). With these assessments added to everyone’s routine health care, there can be no judgment regardless of an individual’s result. Hence, it encourages people to seek help and get the treatment they need.

Similarly to medical screenings, mental health screenings are crucial to evaluating the psychological well-being of an individual. Identifying early symptoms allows timely intervention, which can considerably improve treatment outcomes and prevent further escalation of mental health conditions. The average cost of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) ranges between $15,000 to $19,500, highlighting the cost barrier to accessing essential mental care (11). Forty-two percent of adults reported that they were unable to receive the care they needed because they couldn’t afford it; thus, the financial burden became one of the biggest reasons people were cutting back on therapy (12). Preventing mental illness from growing through early detection can reduce long-term healthcare costs by decreasing the need for more intensive treatments and hospitalizations. Through these screenings, healthcare workers can address mental health issues promptly and help minimize the negative impact it has on an individual’s daily life. Therefore, assimilating mental health screenings ensures the support patients need to promote a more proactive and effective way to approach their condition.

Ultimately, adding mental health screenings to everyone’s primary health care check-ups presents an opportunity to enhance overall well-being. The benefits of these screenings have long-lasting positive effects, including early treatment and reducing the stigma around mental health issues. This evidence demonstrates that addressing mental health issues as a routine part of care benefits not only individuals but also the community. Early intervention and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illnesses build a strong support system and lead to a more productive lifestyle for all (8). Incorporating mental health screenings into routine primary health care is a significant step towards creating a more considerate and inclusive healthcare system for everyone. Embracing these screenings as part of the standard healthcare routine can pave a new direction towards a healthier and brighter future for all patients.

Citation

Pierce, J. J., DO (2024, March 13). Why is health screening important? Preventative Diagnostic Center

WebMD Editorial Contributor. (2023, September 20). How does mental health affect physical health? WebMD

Taheer, F., (2023, April 26). 21 FOMO Statistics: Understanding the fear of missing out. TrustPulse

World Health Organization: WHO. (2021, November 17). Mental health of adolescents

Ettman, C. K., Abdalla, S. M., Cohen, G. H., Sampson, L., Vivier, P. M., & Galea, S. (2020). Prevalence of depression symptoms in US adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open, 3(9), e2019686.

MacMillan, A. (2023, August 21). 4 possible reasons why mental health is getting worse.

World Health Organization: WHO. (2022, March 2). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide

Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. (n.d.)

Stigma and discrimination. (n.d.). Mental Health Foundation.

Overwhelming majority of people severely affected by mental illness report discrimination still widespread. (2021, May 6). Overwhelming Majority of People Severely Affected by Mental Illness Report Discrimination Still Widespread

Difference between outpatient program and intensive outpatient program. (n.d.)

Armstrong, M. (2023, October 10). Mental illness: Cost is major barrier to treatment in the U.S. Statistic Daily Data