Mental Health
3 min read

Bridging the Mental Health Care Gap: First Stop Health's Role in Expanding Access

Updated on May 20, 2025

A virtual care provider supporting a patient with accessible mental health services.

Mental health care in the United States is at a critical juncture. Despite growing awareness, millions of Americans still face significant barriers to accessing the support they need. First Stop Health is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its innovative, virtual-first approach to mental health care.

The Mental Health Crisis: A National Imperative 

Recent data underscores the urgency of addressing mental health care access: 

  • Prevalence of Mental Illness: In 2022, 23.1% of U.S. adults (approximately 59.3 million people) experienced a mental health condition. Forbes 
  • Access Disparities: Mental Health America's 2024 report highlights significant disparities in mental health care access across states, with Nevada, Arizona, and Montana ranking lowest in overall mental health metrics. Mental Health America 
  • Financial Barriers: A study by Johns Hopkins found that up to 25% of U.S. adults with depression and anxiety struggle to pay medical bills, limiting their ability to receive timely psychiatric care. Axios 

These statistics reveal a pressing need for accessible, affordable, and comprehensive mental health services. 

First Stop Health: Expanding Access Through Virtual Care 

First Stop Health offers a holistic, virtual-first mental health program designed to overcome traditional barriers: 

  • Comprehensive Services: First Stop Health’s mental health offerings include short-term counseling, long-term therapy, and mental health coaching, addressing a wide range of needs from anxiety and depression to work-life stress. Crisis support is also available in <30 minutes.  
  • Cost-Effective Care: Typically provided at little to no cost to employees and their families, First Stop Health's services reduce financial burdens that often deter individuals from seeking help.  
  • High Engagement: First Stop Health reports high patient and client satisfaction, with Net Promoter Scores exceeding 80, indicating strong engagement and positive outcomes. 
  • Scalable Solutions: By focusing on underserved small- and medium-sized businesses, First Stop Health tailors its solutions to provide cost-effective care that meets unique organizational needs. Pulse 2.0 

 

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Axios. (2024, July 18). Medical debt is a major barrier to mental health care. https://www.axios.com/2024/07/18/medical-debt-mental-health-treatment-gap 

Forbes Health. (2023, October 10). Mental health statistics. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-statistics/ 

Mental Health America. (2024). The state of mental health in America 2024. https://www.mhanational.org/news/mha-releases-2024-state-of-mental-health-in-america-report 

Pulse 2.0. (2024, February 21). First Stop Health profile: Teira Gunlock interview. https://pulse2.com/first-stop-health-profile-teira-gunlock-interview/ 

 

 

 

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