As more prominence is placed every day on the importance of keeping our mental health in order, new alternatives such as mental health franchises are now attempting to counteract the serious deficit in counselling and psychotherapy services.
The issue of mental health in our society has never been more prevalent. In 2020/21, out of 1.46 million people who were referred for psychological therapy, more than 800,000 of them either did not start or did not finish the treatment1.
Jenine Butroid, Founder and CEO of Supporting Minds, a counselling franchisor, has shared with us her five reasons why investing in a mental health franchise can change how people access therapy services for the better.
The importance of immediacy
A study from the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that two-fifths of patients who were waiting for mental health treatment were forced to resort to emergency or crisis helplines2.
It is clear that access to therapy needs to be made quicker; it takes incredible bravery for someone to ask for help, it is usually the last thing people do before they begin their road to recovery. If they are then told they have to wait before someone will listen to them, it can be crushing.
With the immediacy of the franchise service, it is a solution to the problem as there are more therapists available, which reduces waiting times, provides people with a personal experience and makes that vital connection occur much faster.
Tailored and Ongoing
Therapy can be ongoing and have no time limit; instead of ‘completing a course’, it’s also completely adapted for an individual’s needs. Just because someone’s condition has improved, this does not mean they are shown the door.
This course of action can often lead people to relapse with their anxiety or depression and can cause a re-instatement of their old problems. Counselling should be offered for as long as a person feels it is required, ensuring that when they feel they are ready to stop, their healing is complete.
Stronger together
Local communities are supported and strengthened by the supply of much-needed therapy services to those who want and need them. By investing in a franchise in your local community, you will be making a genuine positive impact in an area that you are connected to and care about as you will be combining therapy services with therapist training to maximise your social impact.
You will also be making a difference to hundreds of people as you will be providing them access to the therapy that they really need so they can go on and make real, lasting change in their lives.
Accessibility and affordability
Most people cannot afford to pay in excess of £50 per weekly session, so by having a business that can offer quality therapy at rates that people can afford, this leads to a greater proportion of people being helped and supported.
I don’t buy into psychotherapy being an elitist field where only the rich and famous are worthy of having their problems talked through and worked out with them. There are too many people suffering in silence, and that is why I truly believe that counselling and psychotherapy should be available to everyone. Money should never be an obstacle to healing.
Real, lasting change
A recent analysis from the BBC revealed there has been a 77% rise in the number of children needing specialist treatment for severe mental health problems3. The number of teens and adults who have been suffering from some form of mental health issue has been going up in every survey since 19931. Sadly, the frequency of this problem is so widespread that no matter how many people you help, there will always be more looking for support.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic has triggered a mental health crisis at a faster rate than we could have imagined. Thousands have and continue to suffer, investing in a mental health franchise is a fantastic way of supporting local communities, while making ethical therapies affordable and accessible to everyone. For a happy and healthy society, I’m hoping that counselling franchises can have a genuine and lasting impact.”
1House of Commons Library, Mental health statistics: prevalence, services and funding in England, 13 December, 2021
