It's #WorldMentalHealthDay , and I'm not going to go super in depth with my story. I've got anxiety and depression, that's mostly managed with medication and weekly therapy sessions.

This year, I want to ask people to think about who can afford access to mental health care.

Therapy is expensive. Medications are expensive. Finding a psychiatrist to prescribe you those medications is expensive, and unless you get SUPREMELY lucky, you often have to go back and keep trying medications until you find one that works for you.

And that's not even talking about the difficulty of finding a therapist/psychiatrist. A doctor I spoke to told me how much harder it's been to find a psychiatrist accepting new patients because, spoiler alert, everyone's mental health took a nose dive because of Covid 19.

Until we have a healthcare system that 1) prioritizes mental health and 2) allowd EVERYONE - employed or unemployed - the resources they need to get help. #WorldMentalHealthDay

I got furloughed and lost my insurance. When I managed to find a new insurance plan, I lost both my primary care doctor and my psychiatrist who prescribes me medication for anxiety and depression.

My therapist also no longer takes my new insurance.

I'm lucky - I found a new doctor who can prescribe me medication, and my therapist is going to apply for an exception so that I can keep seeing her at a reasonable rate.

Not everyone has the support I have, or the financial means to stay insured.

And again, that's assuming you aren't in crisis, and have the capacity to call dozens of doctors to see if they take your insurance/go looking for a therapist who's accepting new patients/is a good fit for you. #WorldMentalHealthDay

I encourage you to vote for politicians who will make health care, and mental health care, a priority. I encourage you to educate yourself on mental health. If you are able, volunteer at a mental health org, and help support ppl in your life who are struggling.