Does Mental Health Treatment Really Work? By Alvin Robertson

Does Mental Health Treatment Really Work?

Does Mental Health Treatment Really Work? By Alvin Robertson

As someone who works directly with patients on their behavioral health in a treatment setting, one of the phrases I hear frequently is, “this isn’t going to help me.” There is a belief that they will be able to overcome their mental health struggles by themselves or if they can just get the right medication it will solve itself. Part of this could stem from stigma, a belief that their mental health isn’t as bad as it really is, or a desire to be self-sufficient. I understand all of those positions. And the reality is, based on both my experience working in a treatment center and industry research, that treatment, particularly evidence-based treatment, is effective and helps hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Tired man sitting on couch with his hand over his forehead

I could quote statistics and reference articles to you all day, but in my experience, we all relate to real stories and firsthand accounts more easily. This is because of our hippocampus (part of our brain), but that topic is a different article. If you’re contemplating going to therapy or recommending a loved one go to therapy, one of your concerns should be “Is this going to help, or will I be wasting time and money?”

My Experience with Mental Health Treatment

When I went to residential treatment for mental health challenges in 2017, I had my first experience with therapy. My therapist was a 6’7″, 300+ lbs., former all-American offensive tackle for the Oregon Ducks, with 14 years sober after a 3-year prison stint. And all I could think of was how good it felt to finally be able to be open with someone about all aspects of my life. If you get nothing else out of therapy, you have someone who is required by law to keep your secrets, as long as those secrets don’t include murder or abuse of a minor or senior citizen.

More than that though, you get someone who may well have experienced things that you are experiencing and has some insight on how to overcome them. I have lived with anxiety and depression to crippling degrees since my earliest memories. It has prevented me from doing well in school, doing things I loved, forming meaningful friendships, and a whole slew of things you probably don’t have time to read (but if you do, check out my story here). I can honestly say that treatment and therapy kept me alive.

Therapy Works

After I graduated from the treatment program I attended, I was given an opportunity to work for the very program that gave me back my life. In the two years that I’ve worked as a case manager, I’ve overseen the treatment of close to 200 clients with varying degrees of mental health struggles. Without a doubt, the clients that get on the correct medication and continue in treatment as recommended by their care providers, go on to live what they described to me as their “life worth living.” One of my favorite examples is a client with schizoaffective disorder who went on to graduate with an MBA. Clients who commit to therapy and stick with it, often find themselves going to therapy after they complete treatment.

Therapy works. If it didn’t, myself, and all of my peers would be out of work. There is no shame in going to therapy. My whole life I felt uncomfortable, striving just to feel okay. I know I’m not unique in this. The percentage of Americans with a mental health struggle is at an all-time high. You too deserve a life worth living. If the difference between just existing and enjoying life is some treatment, why hold yourself back?


Alvin Robertson

Alvin grew up in Southwest Missouri and struggled with depression and addiction from the age of 11. He also has had extreme social anxiety his whole life. Alvin is a veteran of the US Army, and enjoys spending his time doing martial arts, shooting, and reading. Alvin now works as a Behavioral and Peer Support Specialist at a residential treatment center. 


If you or anyone you know is facing mental health challenges and needs support, we can help you.

You can share how you’re feeling or about your experience, or apply to our subsidized therapy program.

Seeking Help: Finding a Mental Health Therapist, by Alvin Robertson

Seeking Help: Finding a Mental Health Therapist

Seeking Help: Finding a Mental Health Therapist, by Alvin Robertson

Having trouble finding the right mental health therapist? If I had to choose a single obstacle that prevents more people from starting therapy than anything else, it would be the sheer task of deciding where to go. A single Google search of “therapy near me”, yields 5,480,000,000 results in .92 seconds (your internet is probably much faster). The first 3-5 results are ads, followed by a smattering on Google Maps, after which are lists such as one on Psychology Today. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the plethora of options, and shut down to avoid anxiety. Rinse, repeat.

Even if you go the slightly more informed route and ask your insurance company for a list of care providers that are in-network, all you get is a list of names with no way of knowing who has a good reputation, where they are located, or if they’ll let you bring your pet parakeet (they won’t). That said, this is not a bad route to go as long as you’re willing to do the leg work.

An outstretched arm reaching towards some trees

When selecting a therapist, it’s important to be honest with yourself about what your mental health struggles are. If you’re seeking help for your marriage, you wouldn’t go to a therapist that has no experience in that. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, anger management, struggling to maintain meaningful relationships, etc., there is a therapist for you. If you aren’t sure what you struggle with and are looking for more clarity, most places will be able to do a quick assessment for you to give you an idea of what direction to go. By no means should you take this as gospel, but it can help provide some knowledge as to what kind of therapy would be beneficial.

Resources for Finding a Mental Health Therapist

Here is a list of national mental health organizations that should have information on local councilors:

While searching for mental health therapists, you will see a lot of acronyms for credentials. Here is a list of some and what they mean:

  • Clinical Psychologist (Psy. D, Ph.D.) – deal with more severe mental health issues like severe anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and eating disorders.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – A licensed social worker can provide therapeutic counseling services and resource and referral services for children, adolescents, and adults.
  • Marriage, Family Therapist (LMFT) – Can support individuals and couples with mental health issues and relationship issues as a family therapist, or marriage counselor.
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LPCC) – Provide therapeutic counseling services for individuals and couples struggling with relationship issues and life challenges.

Other Things to Consider

You also might look into popular types of therapy and search for practitioners in your area that specialize in those. These could be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness practices, and many more. It is important to verify that someone who claims to use a practice is actually certified in it and is truly using its methods. I see this particularly with DBT, due to its rise in popularity.

Something you will likely run into while looking for a mental health therapist is the Online vs. In-Person debate. This really comes down to your personal preference. You may have people tell you that you can’t get as effective treatment with online/computer therapy, or that serious practitioners don’t work online. This simply is not true. Marsha Linehan is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in the world and recently launched some trial treatment with computer therapy which shows it to be a viable alternative for traditional treatment methods. If you’re more comfortable with over the phone, video chat, or live chat, then this can be a great way to get help.

If you don’t have private insurance, but do have Medicaid, a good resource would be your Local Mental Health Authority. This is easily found with a Google search, and they will be able to provide you with a list of resources in your county. If you don’t have any kind of insurance, ask the therapist you have decided on if they are familiar with any resources that will help subsidize your payments.

A man walking across a concrete floor towards a source of light

Begin Your Journey Today!

Hopefully, this has been helpful in alleviating some of the stress and anxiety that comes with trying to find or select a mental health therapist or treatment program. Don’t hesitate, start a search now. If you’ve made it here, you’re probably feeling motivated to seek help. Are you willing to ride that wave and continue to take steps towards a more carefree life?


Alvin Robertson 

Alvin grew up in Southwest Missouri and struggled with depression and addiction from the age of 11. He also has had extreme social anxiety his whole life. Alvin is a veteran of the US Army, and enjoys spending his time doing martial arts, shooting, and reading. Alvin now works as a Behavioral and Peer Support Specialist at a residential treatment center. 


If you or anyone you know is facing mental health challenges and needs support, we can help you.

You can share how you’re feeling or about your experience, or apply to our subsidized therapy program.

The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health, by Alvin Robertson

The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health

The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health, by Alvin Robertson

What are the costs for society that result from ignoring mental health challenges?

Something that I had never considered before entering the field of Behavioral Health was the economic burden to society. As a person in recovery – both in terms of substance abuse and mental health – I was very familiar with the burden at the individual and family levels, and these are by no means insignificant. But what has our cultural avoidance of seriously seeking to provide treatment to those struggling with mental health (of an acuity) cost us in terms of cold hard cash?

Shadow of man walking on road

The short answer is “there’s no way to really know”. We can calculate a rough estimate based on lack of employment, cost of treatment, and various miscellaneous costs associated with having what can be a chronic disability at a young age. What we cannot calculate is the loss of revenue that might have come from any of the bright minds lost to suicide, or unable to cope with their mental health well enough to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. We can’t put a value on the emotional torment felt by those that struggle, and those close to them who feel helpless in the face of adversity that we continue to understand better every year.

Statistics on the Cost of Ignoring Mental Health

In a study published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2009, they estimate the annual National burden to be about US$57.5 billion per annum (in 2006). This was approximately the equivalent of cancer care that same year, however, the cost for mental health came more from loss of income due to unemployment, social supports, and indirect costs whereas the cost of cancer comes primarily from direct treatment/care.

This may seem astonishing, but only 2 years later the World Economic Forum released a study projecting the global economic cost of heart disease, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, cancer, and mental health from 2010 to 2030. In this study, they share data from the World Health Organization that shows mental health as the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) at 37% of healthy years lost by non-communicable diseases, and an estimated global annual cost increase of US$2.5 trillion in 2010 to over US$6 trillion in 2030. To put this in perspective, the global GDP in 2010 was just under US$63 trillion and the global spending on mental health was US$5.1 trillion.

What Can We Do?

The personal, familial, and societal costs of ignoring mental health are severe. So, what can we do about it? Spread awareness, fight against stigma, make treatment more accessible, become more informed ourselves, and work to create a more inclusive environment. The number of effective medications and treatments continues to increase. Our understanding of the brain and genetics has never been higher. A large part of our mission here at the Overt Foundation is to grow a community that is active and aware. Thank you for your efforts to become better informed. Please join us as we continue learning ourselves and providing that knowledge and treatment to others.


Alvin Robertson 

Alvin grew up in Southwest Missouri and struggled with depression and addiction from the age of 11. He also has had extreme social anxiety his whole life. Alvin is a veteran of the US Army, and enjoys spending his time doing martial arts, shooting, and reading. Alvin now works as a Behavioral and Peer Support Specialist at a residential treatment center. 


If you or anyone you know is facing mental health challenges and needs support, we can help you.

You can share how you’re feeling or about your experience, or apply to our subsidized therapy program.