There is no doubt that many in the music fraternity aren’t getting timely and quality medical help, especially from a mental health perspective. One only has to take a look at the long list of songwriters, singers, and others in the music fraternity who have ended their lives or attempted suicide, in recent memory, to see that the mental healthcare delivery system is lacking.
With each death or reports of hospitalization after an overdose, for instance, there is often public outcry. There is a general feeling that more needs to be done to increase access for at-risk individuals or to make them more comfortable in wanting to get medical help or mental health advice. And while the response is usually louder for musicians and other celebrities, the situation among the wider population isn’t much different.
The truth is that there are numerous reasons why people might not be getting help or may not have easy access to treatment to counter what they are going through mentally or physically. Whatever the reason, many simply don’t get treated. According to this Very Well Mind article, 37% of adults with depression receive no treatment all.
Sometimes people don’t seek help because of the stigma attached to their illness, especially mental health issues. They fear that going to a psychiatrist will alert the world that they have a condition, and believe they will be looked down on.
Yet another reason why many don’t get the help they need is that they live in rural areas. In recent years, medical facilities in small towns have been closing down for one reason or another, resulting in residents being far away from diagnostic and treatment facilities.
With that said, telehealth is a fast-rising alternative that can drive musicians, and people in general, to “see” the doctor. Telehealth, sometimes referred to as telemedicine (virtual doctor consultations), involves getting medical help via the internet or telephone. Here’s how it works.
Accessed through computers and telephones
With smartphones now the norm and internet access continuously rising, telehealth services are available to most people who might need it. Consultations can include video chats in real time, live chats, text messaging, email, and even telephone calls.
From the comfort of your home
Apart from medical emergencies which, obviously, require hands-on care, it is possible to receive professional support for almost any common ailment without leaving your home. Telehealth services, therefore, allow you to access basic healthcare, including mental health advice, from within your comfort zone, reducing the need to go out in public and sit for long periods in waiting rooms.
Easy and discreet
For people, including celebrities who might have concerns about their health conditions being leaked to the public domain, the discreetness of telehealth makes it a desirable alternative. Telehealth platforms such as BetterHelp are not only geared towards increasing healthcare access to the general population, but also maintaining a high level of confidentiality, as well as ease of use.
So, can telehealth services get more people to seek medical help and advice? It would certainly seem so, as more and more people are logging on to BetterHelp and other telehealth platforms to connect with professionals. And that is great news for all our songwriter friends and musicians. Disclaimer: Please note that the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Tunedly.
We're grateful to all the photographers who, through their creative genius, have helped Tunedly share our story with the same passion we feel about music. Thank you!
