Nearly half of Americans have used mental health medication at some point, according to a recent survey. Despite this, 68% of people still have at least one hesitation about taking it. The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, found that 47% of Americans say they’ve been prescribed mental health medication, with 24% currently taking it and 23% previously prescribed it.

Concerns and Stigma

The most common concern Americans have about mental health medications is the potential for side effects and long-term dependency, with 36% of survey respondents listing this hesitation. Additionally, many people believe they should be able to handle their mental health on their own, with 24% of Americans reporting this as a reason for not seeking help.

Experts say that these concerns are often driven by misinformation and a lack of understanding about mental health medications. They emphasize that mental health medications can be a helpful tool for managing symptoms, and that finding the right medication and dosage is a process that requires patience and collaboration with a healthcare provider.

Demographic Differences

The survey also found demographic differences in the use of mental health medications. Millennials are the most likely to have used mental health medication, with 64% reporting use, followed by Gen Z at 50%. In contrast, only one-third of Baby Boomers have used mental health medication.

Parents are also more likely to have tried medication, with 58% reporting use compared to 41% of non-parents. Furthermore, the survey found that Black adults have the lowest use rate of mental health medications, at 36%, while Hispanic adults have the highest hesitation rate, at 78%.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.