Link to article: https://journals.lww.com/pain/fulltext/9900/the_unmet_mental_health_needs_of_u_s__adults.671.aspx?trk=public_post_comment-text
According to a recently published US-based population study, adults living with persistent pain are the underrecognized majority of US adults with clinically significant mental health struggles, like unremitted anxiety and depression.
Yet, typically, their mental health is only addressed after they have been through an exhaustive biomedical workup that yields no biological explanation for their pain.
Past research also suggests that these adults with persistent pain and mental health needs may be less likely to use mental health treatment, or may do so less frequently and more reluctantly, when compared to adults with mental health needs only.
This study found indications of a meaningful treatment gap and identified several persistent pain-specific barriers that may be responsible for these disparities. These include: practitioners not having the knowledge or skills to identify mental health needs in their context and/or having low awareness of the rationale for treating mental health in paincare; and patient’s not being receptive to discussing mental health treatment due to factors like fear of stigmatization.
The authors concluded that, throughout its cascade of care, the U.S. healthcare system is not yet adequately equipped to meet the mental health needs of adults with persistent pain.
They suggest that, amongst other actions that can bring positive change, persistent pain is a topic that needs to be included in the broader mental health conversation; and that policy change should be informed by meaningful engagement with the mental health experiences and outcomes of those living with persistent pain.
Cite: De La Rosa, Jennifer S.a,b,*; Brady, Benjamin R.a,c; Herder, Katherine E.a,d; Wallace, Jessica S.a,b; Ibrahim, Mohab M.a,e; Allen, Alicia M.a,b; Meyerson, Beth E.a,b; Suhr, Kyle A.a,f; Vanderah, Todd W.a,g. The unmet mental health needs of U.S. adults living with chronic pain. PAIN ():10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003340, July 30, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003340