Most Americans haven't faced barriers to behavioral health care
Core finding
Most Americans (62%) report facing none of these barriers to behavioral health care in the past twelve months, or not having sought such services, according to a March 2026 Verasight survey. The most-cited obstacle, named by 26%, is cost, thin insurance coverage, or long waits for an appointment.
Fewer point to distance or transportation and to distrust or stigma (10% each), a lack of nearby providers (7%), limited telehealth or internet access and a shortage of culturally appropriate care (5% each), or a lack of housing or child care (3%).
Selected responses
Most Americans haven't faced barriers to behavioral health care.
In the past 12 months, which of the following factors prevented you or someone in your household from seeking behavioral health services (mental health or substance use treatment)?
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.6% |
| Module | Module 4: Identity, Politics, & Social Trust |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
In the past 12 months, which of the following factors prevented you or someone in your household from seeking behavioral health services (mental health or substance use treatment)?
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
Thinking about behavioral health services you or someone in your household has used or attempted to use in the 12 months, please indicate whether or not you have experienced each of these situations.
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.6%.