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How mental health vocabulary, online content, and non-traditional support are reshaping the way people understand and cope with their emotions. America’s need for mental health care has never been greater. More than 60 million adults reported a mental illness in 2024, highlighting a gap between need and available support. Yet, with the growing mental health professional shortage, many go without care. When faced with therapists who are burnt out and not taking on new clients or a lack of insurance coverage, some Americans have turned to alternative methods to cope with their emotions and thoughts, in what has become a growing trend. Social media outlets like Instagram and TikTok have been the source for many to turn to for mental health topics, featuring “therapy speak” — words and terms commonly used in professional psychology settings. Meanwhile, there’s been a growing rise in using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for professional mental health help. For some, this growth has been a testimony to the collapse of the stigma around mental health. People feel freer to discuss their thoughts and emotions online, allowing them to find community and assistance for issues they would previously suffer in silence over. For others, this growth can be a breeding ground for misinformation, enabling American adults to misdiagnose and utilize potentially dangerous treatment methods. To understand how online activity has reshaped Americans’ mental health habits, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults. The findings show that turning to social media for support is not only becoming more common; it’s also influencing how people think and talk about mental health in their daily lives. Get Help Today: (972) 325-2633 Key Takeaways Over half of Americans (51%) say they use mental health language in everyday conversation, rising to 74% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials. Nearly half (46%) say they are more open about their mental health and express their emotions better as a result. Nearly 1 in 3 (32%) encounter mental health language on social media, making it the top source of terminology. Gen Z (68%) and millennials (43%) encounter it the most often. One in three have changed how they describe their emotions after online exposure to mental health terms or trends, increasing to 50% for millennials, and 55% among AI users. More than 1 in 4 use “therapy speak” in conversations with their friends and family — seventy-three find it performative when online. Cost is the most widespread barrier to care, keeping 53% of adults and 58% of millennials from seeking help, as many turn to friends (42%), social media (39%), and forums (33%) for support. Roughly one in four (23%) now use AI chatbots for emotional support, led by Gen Z (44%), millennials (31%), and men (41%). Among users, 47% say it’s helped reframe their feelings, and 41% describe it as nonjudgmental. How People Talk and Think About Mental Health For years, mental health was a taboo topic. People were afraid to bring up concerns over their mental health due to fear of judgment and discrimination. However, more people are talking about mental health than ever before. This shift isn’t limited to people who were already open about their mental health. Over 45% of the survey respondents said they feel more comfortable talking about mental health now than they did earlier in life. Over 50% of Americans use mental health language in their everyday conversations. However, not all Americans talk about mental health and expose themselves to discussions about it, especially older adults. Only 23% of baby boomers say they regularly encounter and use mental health terminology. Meanwhile, 74% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials use the terminology regularly. The survey also found mixed results in how this increased use of “therapy speak” impacted their everyday life. Of the survey respondents, 46% said talking about mental health improved how they expressed their emotions. At the same time, not everyone feels positively about the rise of “therapy speak.” Nearly 1 in 5 adults said they avoid using this mental health terminology because it feels confusing or uncomfortable. Their responses suggest that while these conversations are becoming more common, a significant portion of Americans still finds the language inaccessible. Where Americans Learn the Language of Mental Health When people thought of what mental health traditionally looked and sounded like, some would think of a cartoon character sitting in a chaise lounge across from a Freudian therapist. However, mental health discussions are happening everywhere, both in the real world and online. According to the survey results, 32% of Americans encounter mental health terminology on Instagram or TikTok, making social platforms the top exposure point. Even among those who use AI platforms like ChatGPT, which has recently seen a spike in therapeutic prompts, social media apps reign supreme in therapy exposure — 49% of AI-chatbot users still encounter most therapy terms on social media. In contrast, only 27% of the respondents said they heard these terms from friends or loved ones in person, and just 16% said they encountered them through a therapist or coach. Despite the rise in online therapy speak, many users believe that most online content may actually be problematic. Up to 73% of respondents thought the mental health language they heard online was performative or inaccurate at least some of the time. To them, these kinds of discussions weren’t a liberating exchange to talk about their experiences, but rather an inauthentic expression that may actually hinder honest conversations. Get Help Today: (972) 325-2633 How Americans Work Through Their Feelings With the Internet Many respondents didn’t just internalize therapy speak and keep it amongst themselves. Instead, for many, it reflected a fundamental change in their actions, particularly how they talk about it. For example, 41% changed the way they described an emotion or personal issue after encountering a similar term or trend online. This phenomenon is more pronounced in certain groups than others. For example, 60% of AI-chatbot users said that exposure to online therapy language influenced how they describe their emotions. There is also a

Millions of Americans who need mental health care struggle to find it—especially those in underserved communities. In 2019, an estimated 21.6 million adults reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, but 39% of them did not receive any treatment, primarily due to cost or lack of access. Among those with no insurance, nearly 92% with severe symptoms went untreated. For people in BIPOC, LGBTQ+, low-income, rural, or disabled communities, these gaps are even wider. Many face additional hurdles like discrimination, stigma, language barriers, and a lack of culturally competent providers. Even when care is available, it isn’t always inclusive or affirming. This guide is here to help you navigate those challenges, whether you’re searching for your first therapist or looking to switch to someone who truly understands your identity and needs. Inclusive, accessible mental health care is essential for everyone. Get Help Today: (972) 325-2633 Why Inclusive Therapy Matters for Underserved Communities Underserved communities encounter disproportionate barriers to mental health care. These groups are more likely to experience chronic stressors tied to discrimination, financial instability, and geographic isolation, yet they have fewer options for quality treatment. Common barriers include: Provider shortages in rural or low-income areas Lack of insurance or comprehensive coverage that limits access to care Language barriers and a lack of multilingual providers Cultural mistrust due to historical mistreatment by the healthcare system Few clinicians have the cultural competence to treat diverse populations effectively These access issues aren’t hypothetical. According to the KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination, and Health, 38% of Black adults and 36% of Hispanic adults said they had difficulty finding providers who respect their cultural background. These groups also report higher levels of unfair treatment and lower levels of trust in healthcare settings. Meanwhile, research from UC Davis shows that poverty-linked stress — from housing insecurity to adverse childhood experiences — leaves a lasting mental health burden that is often left untreated. Inclusive therapy emphasizes a client’s lived experience and cultural identity. Culturally competent mental health care often includes: Using affirming, non-stigmatizing language Recognizing and validating systemic and intergenerational trauma Adapting therapy models to reflect the client’s cultural background Creating a safe space where clients don’t need to “explain” their identity When therapy lacks inclusivity, clients may struggle to build trust or abandon treatment altogether. For underserved populations already navigating mental health inequities, a culturally unaware therapist can perpetuate the same harm within an incredibly vulnerable setting. Common Barriers to Finding the Right Therapist Finding a great therapist is easier said than done. Multiple factors can prevent someone from getting the help they need; here are the most common: Financial Hurdles and Insurance Issues For many people, the cost of therapy is the first and most persistent barrier. Mental health care remains out of reach for individuals without insurance or for those whose insurance doesn’t adequately cover therapy. Common financial obstacles include: Lack of insurance coverage for mental health or behavioral services, particularly among low-income or self-employed individuals High out-of-pocket costs, including steep co-pays, deductibles, or session caps that limit the number of visits per year A limited number of in-network therapists, which can mean long waitlists or settling for a provider who isn’t a good fit Even when mental health services are technically covered, many insurance networks include only a small pool of providers, some of whom may not be accepting new patients. Navigating the insurance system itself — understanding benefits, verifying coverage, submitting claims — can also become a deterrent, particularly for those in crisis. Cultural Disconnect and Stigma When therapists and clients come from different backgrounds, it can lead to misunderstandings, distrust, or treatment that doesn’t fit the client’s experiences. For people from groups that have been unfairly treated or discriminated against, the shame associated with mental health issues is often made worse by bigger problems in society. The most common challenges include: Mistrust of mental health professionals, especially among BIPOC and immigrant communities with histories of institutional racism or cultural invalidation in clinical settings Language barriers that prevent full participation in therapy, particularly when bilingual or culturally fluent therapists are unavailable Cultural stigma that equates mental health issues with weakness, family dishonor, or spiritual failure As the American Psychiatric Association notes, stigma not only reduces help-seeking behaviors but can also affect the quality of care a person receives. For many, fear of judgment, either from their community or from a provider who doesn’t understand their background, becomes a reason to avoid therapy altogether. LGBTQ+ Discrimination or Erasure The therapist-client relationship requires trust, and for queer, trans, and nonbinary individuals, providers may break this trust if they fail to affirm their client’s identity. Barriers specific to LGBTQ+ populations include: Limited access to LGBTQ+-affirming therapists, particularly in smaller cities, rural areas, or within specific healthcare networks Misgendering, deadnaming, or heteronormative assumptions that alienate or retraumatize the client A lack of training among providers in topics like gender identity, coming out, or navigating queer relationships and family structures Inadequate or uninformed care can do more harm than good, particularly for individuals already facing depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation linked to social exclusion. Rural and Remote Area Challenges Geography can be one of the most rigid barriers to therapy. In rural or remote communities, mental health care is often scarce, and logistical constraints make consistent care difficult. Common issues include: Severe shortages of licensed mental health professionals, especially those with expertise in trauma, substance use, or marginalized identities Long travel distances to the nearest available therapist, compounded by a lack of public transportation or inflexible work schedules Limited or unreliable broadband access, which restricts the use of telehealth and virtual therapy options Even when someone in a rural area is highly motivated to seek care, the lack of available or accessible providers can mean months-long waits or complete abandonment of treatment efforts. This deepens existing disparities and contributes to the isolation and chronic stress already common in rural life. Where to Start Your Search Finding the right therapist starts with understanding what