In the past 5 years, mental health care has undergone significant
changes, particularly in relation to healthcare access through
telehealth. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption
of Telehealth, making healthcare more accessible to the broader
population. This analysis sought to better understand the impact of
Telehealth on mental health care and to identify key demographic groups
demonstrating a disproportionate need for this care.
This analysis utilizes nationally representative survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, a rapid-response survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and federal partners to measure the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. households. It draws specifically from two key datasets: Telemedicine Use in the Last 4 Weeks and Mental Health Care in the Last 4 Weeks, which provide timely insights into access to care and behavioral health engagement.
Although the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in 2020–2021, its
effects remained significant in 2022 and may still influence patterns
observed in the data. As a result, the findings from this
analysis may not accurately reflect the current trends in mental health
behavior and Telehealth utilization.
As of August 2022, there were ~60M adults (18+) receiving Telemedicine, ~60M taking a mental health prescription, and ~30M receiving mental health counseling; though treatment rates have changed +/- 5% in the 2021-2022 period, the overall impact on treated population is nominal.
Analysis of telehealth usage across demographic subgroups reveals significant disparities. Transgender individuals and people with disabilities report the highest rates of telehealth utilization, suggesting these groups are both in high need and more engaged with remote healthcare options. Additionally, cis-gender females are more likely to access telehealth services than cis-gender males, highlighting a gender gap in care-seeking behavior. These patterns suggest opportunities for targeted outreach and intervention strategies to ensure equitable access and to support underserved populations with demonstrated need.
Between August 2020 and May 2022, all age groups experienced an increase in the number of adults with untreated mental health needs. However, the rise was most pronounced among young adults aged 18–39, who contributed the largest overall volume of unmet need. This suggests a growing demand for mental health support in younger populations, potentially driven by pandemic-related stressors and improved awareness. While older adults (ages 70+) showed the smallest change over time, their persistently low numbers may reflect barriers to care access rather than lower need, underscoring the importance of inclusive outreach strategies across the age spectrum.
This analysis illustrates that while telehealth has expanded access to care, disparities persist among demographic subgroups. Tailored outreach efforts can help close gaps, especially for marginalized and underserved populations.