Clinical Insights

In an era where social media dominates daily life, its influence on mental health is undeniable — especially for the younger, most digitally-savvy generations. Our survey explores how constant connectivity impacts mental health and relationships, revealing a troubling reliance on social media for mental health advice. Many self-diagnose conditions based on information they see on social media, but some hesitate to seek professional help. Meanwhile, the casual use of “therapy speak” is fueling relationship doubts, leading a number of people to consider digital detoxes. As social media’s role in our mental health continues to evolve, a Researchscape International survey (on behalf of LifeStance Health) underscores the need for credible information and professional mental health support. Findings from this online survey of 1,110 U.S. adults are noted below with supplemental graphs and visuals shown here. REPORT FINDINGS Being “chronically online” is pervasive, especially among younger generations. Social media is a pervasive presence in our daily lives. Over one-quarter (26%) of respondents check social media within five minutes of waking up, and the same portion (26%) spend four hours or more on social media every day....

On April 27, 2023, US Senators Catherine Cortez Mastro (D-NV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective (COMPLETE) Care Act (S.1378), supported by over 50 organizations representing payors, providers, and patients1. The organizations in favor of the legislation include the American Psychiatric Association, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In September, a companion bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 5819 COMPLETE Care Act of 2023, was introduced by a bipartisan group of US Representatives led by Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Michelle Steel (R-CA)2. This legislation would promote behavioral health integration in primary care by increasing the reimbursement rate on collaborative care codes for a period of three years, establishing quality measurement reporting requirements for participating primary care groups, and providing technical implementation assistance. Increased reimbursement on collaborative care codes was also included in Section 104 of the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act unanimously passed by the Senate Finance Committee this month. We are excited by the p...