Life is Hard - Get by with a Little Help From Your Friends at Fello

The World Has Shifted

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, the team at Fello has been inspired by the outreach and stories we’ve received in response to our launch. At the same time, we are keenly aware of the opportunity and challenge ahead. At Fello , we are on a mission to transform lives through the power of human connection.

Over the past four years, the world has faced unprecedented challenges leading to a significant rise in mental health issues. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, 21% of Americans have now been diagnosed with a mental health disorder ( The National Institutes of Health ). These diagnoses include a fourfold increase in anxiety and depression ( The National Institutes of Health ), alongside a continued rise in suicide deaths from the record numbers noted in 2021. ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ) 

In addition to the lingering effects of the pandemic, realities of a disconnected, digital age have contributed to intensified feelings of isolation. In short, loneliness in the modern world is pervasive, and connecting with the community is increasingly essential to our mental well-being.

Addressing the increase in mental health challenges is crucial. When left unattended, these issues can profoundly impact overall wellness. In fact, individuals suffering from severe mental illness live an estimated 10 to 20 years less than the general population. This reduction in life expectancy is largely attributed to comorbidity and other factors such as poor lifestyle choices, medication side effects, and inadequate access to appropriate care. 

Alarmingly, 20% of those diagnosed with mental health conditions face significant barriers to accessing necessary care ( Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) ). These numbers (excluding those who are suffering silently, or have not yet thought about seeking help), further prove a critical need for support. 

People Need Access 

A survey conducted by VeryWell Mind suggests that of 1,000 Americans: 

• 38% require financial help from someone to afford therapy
• 49% worried about paying for treatment long-term
• 33% canceled sessions due to out-of-pocket costs
• 39% reduced frequency of sessions to reduce costs
• 31% temporarily stopped going to save money

With the rising prevalence of mental health concerns and their significant effects on our lives, prioritizing mental health care has become increasingly important. However, systems providing support are also facing unprecedented times. Over the last three years, over 70,000 clinicians have left the workforce, 55% of US counties have zero psychiatrists, and 77% report severe shortages. As is the nature of the beast, with this reduced supply and increased demand, comes higher cost, thus creating further inequities in accessibility. 

Peer Support

This is where peer support comes into play. Peer support is a mutual exchange of assistance, encouragement, and understanding between individuals who share common experiences, backgrounds, or identities. Peer support typically involves individuals providing emotional, social, and practical aid to one another based on their shared lived experiences. 

Endorsed by both the American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , (in studies done between 2011 and 2015), researchers found that peer support had a significant impact in the following areas: 

• Reduction in hospital readmissions among individuals with chronic conditions
• Improved mental health outcomes 
• Enhanced self-management skills, specifically with medication adherence, symptom management, and lifestyle changes
• Increased social support networks lead to overall better well-being and quality of life
• Cost savings within healthcare systems such as fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations

Human connection has changed significantly over the last few years. Accessibility and other complexities of traditional help methods have proven to be a blocker for those in need. At Fello , we’re redefining help by offering accessible, relative expertise through the power of lived experience. Whether it’s alcohol use, drug use, parenting, or relationships, we believe personal stories are unique tools that have equipped Fellos to guide others through similar areas of struggle. We believe that overcoming life’s greatest challenges should not be undertaken alone, so we have created the platform where helped people, help people. 

In a time when people need people most, let’s reimagine the ways we can show up for one another through human-to-human connection.

Let us know what you think in the comments below, and if you know someone who would like to offer peer support based on their lived experiences or feel you might benefit from a conversation with a peer, please visit Fello . 

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Alyssa Pollack , Pete Kadens , Jeffrey Werring , Carlin Park , Eden Kaminski , Stephanie Towers , Hannah Chookaszian , Katie Stevens , Thekla Ross, PsyD , Claire M. , Brian Vandenberg , Greg Buzzell , Whitney Rosenthal , Adam Pollack 🤹 , Randy Forman , Melvin Rodriguez