[dorchadas]

I think there's two issues contributing to this in the US. The first is, obviously, as you mentioned, health care costs and insurance. But I think the bigger issue is stigma. Everyone talks about how it should be acceptable to go get mental healthcare, but it still isn't. A lot of it has to do with the culture of individuality and consumerism that has been forced down Americans throats since birth. I think it's especially bad for men (and I am not saying it's not bad for women, but I can only comment on my male perspective), as there's the thought that we should be able to hide our emotions and do it alone; that we should be able to overcome everything through sheer willpower. Basically, the Protestant mentality is driving us all insane. Sadly, I don't really know of any good way to go about changing social norms in this regard.

[philliphaydon]

There is a bigger issue in the US than health care cost and stigma. And that’s the kickbacks Doctors get for prescribing drugs to begin with. America has the single largest prescription drug problem in the world.