New Report from Rula Health Reveals the Mental Health Impacts of a Changing World

Rula’s first-ever “2025 State of Mental Health Report” explores how Americans are navigating mental health today and why access to care is more critical than ever

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Rula Health, a national behavioral healthcare provider group that delivers high-quality mental healthcare covered by insurance, has released its inaugural “2025 State of Mental Health Report: Mental Well-being in a Changing World”. Based on responses from more than 2,000 adults across the U.S., the new report sheds light on the emotional toll of modern life, the reasons people are seeking mental healthcare, how they’re receiving that care, and what persistent barriers stand in the way.

As economic stress, social shifts, and digital fatigue weigh on people’s daily lives, mental health has become a more urgent and personal priority. Rula’s 2025 State of Mental Health Report found that over half of Americans (53.4%) have accessed mental health services at some point in their lives, with more than half of that group currently in therapy (28.3%) or having gone within the past year (25%). The top reasons for seeking therapy include anxiety (54.3%), depression (52.9%), and stress or burnout (33.1%)—a reflection of the mounting pressures people are facing. Notably, nearly 80% of those who’ve sought therapy say it helped. And whether people are finding a mental healthcare provider with assistance from their doctor, online search, or referrals from family and friends, they’re increasingly empowered to find care that fits their lives.

Even as seeking mental health support becomes more widely accepted, many people still face significant barriers to care. The report reveals that cost remains the biggest obstacle to mental healthcare access, with a quarter of respondents (25%) saying that the cost of care would discourage them from seeking mental health support. Beyond cost, access to mental healthcare is shaped by a range of factors, with notable differences across demographics.

Top barriers to mental healthcare:

• 31.8% of respondents said they’ve faced challenges finding mental health support, with more men than women reporting difficulties.
• Women were more likely to be discouraged by the high cost of care and difficulty finding the right therapist, while men were more discouraged by stigma and distrust of the medical system.
• 42.9% of respondents said that outside costs due to economic factors (e.g. inflation, rising cost of living) have impacted their ability to access mental healthcare.
• More than half of respondents 65+ have not accessed mental health services in more than five years, and 27.6% of that age group said they are unsure what kind of therapy would be most helpful for them.

When it comes to perceptions and pressures around mental health, 57.9% of those surveyed say mental health has become more important to them in the last five years. And the report found that of the factors that influenced people to take action around their mental health, the strongest influence people reported was their close social circles. 41.7% of respondents said they would be more likely to seek mental health support if they saw people in their close circle doing so and/or speaking about it.

"The insights from this report underscore the importance of creating accessible, effective mental healthcare for everyone. As we see an increasing number of individuals seeking support, it’s clear that barriers to access are still pervasive, even though we’re making progress,” said Doug Newton, Chief Medical Officer at Rula Health. “At Rula, we are committed to bridging these gaps by providing access to personalized, quality, in-network care that is known to improve overall health outcomes and lower cost of care. This care is not only tailored to patients’ unique needs, but also easy to access when they need it most."

Mental health in America is evolving, and the 2025 State of Mental Health Report illuminates both the progress and the challenges that continue to shape how people access care. While the data reveals encouraging improvements in mental health awareness and access, it also points to significant barriers that still exist, highlighting areas that require further attention to ensure people get the support they need.

To explore the full findings of the report, visit www.rula.com/state-of-mental-health, and to learn more about how Rula helps connect people with the right mental healthcare that fits their needs, visit www.rula.com.

About Rula Health

Rula is the best way for individuals, couples, and families to get in-network mental health care that delivers progress. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 licensed providers, nationwide next-day therapy and psychiatric availability, and 24/7 crisis support, Rula meets people wherever they are on their mental health journey. Patients match with a best-fit provider in minutes, confirm their out-of-pocket insurance costs, attend their telehealth sessions, and track improvement all within a single easy-to-use platform. And when they need support, Rula's team is there to provide live help from real humans. Rula Health accepts most major insurance networks, including Aetna/CVS, Anthem/Elevance, Cigna/Evernorth, Kaiser, United Healthcare/Optum, and many Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, covering over 120M lives.