Virtual Care Significantly Increases Access to Mental Health Care

Researchers at the University of Texas San Antonio have found that virtual care is associated with a significant increase in accessing mental health care, particularly among individuals who historically experience challenges in in-person settings. The study, published in Telemedicine Reports, observed a notable increase in mental counseling or therapy use among males and females, with females from a Hispanic background, aged 18-29, and with less than high school graduation or college degrees experiencing the most significant benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• Virtual care is associated with a significant increase in accessing mental health care, with a 2.75 times higher odds ratio for males and a 3.38 times higher odds ratio for females.
• Females from a Hispanic background, aged 18-29, and with less than high school graduation or college degrees had notable increases in mental counseling or therapy use with virtual care.
• The study found significant associations between virtual care and an increase in mental counseling or therapy use across different demographic characteristics, including age, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.
• Individuals with low educational attainment and Hispanics may significantly benefit from virtual options.
• The study highlighted the importance of virtual care in reducing health inequities in the United States.

Statistics:

• The study observed a total of 1,946 participants with symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), with 708 males and 1,238 females.
• The study used data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
• The odds ratios for virtual care associated with an increase in mental counseling or therapy use were: 2.75 (95% CI: 1.82-4.16, p 0.001) for males, and 3.38 (95% CI: 2.42-4.73, p 0.001) for females.
• Females from a Hispanic background had a staggering 7.17 times higher odds ratio (95% CI: 2.97-17.33, p 0.001) of increasing mental counseling or therapy use with virtual care.

Sources:

• The Role of Virtual Care on Access to Mental Health Counseling or Therapy to Reduce Health Inequities in the United States: Considerations on Age, Race, and Education. Telemedicine Reports, 2025,6(1):317-328.
• Coralia Vazquez-Otero et al. "The Role of Virtual Care on Access to Mental Health Counseling or Therapy to Reduce Health Inequities in the United States: Considerations on Age, Race, and Education." Telemedicine Reports 2025. vol. 6(1), 2025, p. 317-328. doi: 10.1177/26924366251382425
• NewsRx. University of Texas San Antonio Researchers Provide New Study Findings on Mental Health Diseases and Conditions (The Role of Virtual Care on Access to Mental Health Counseling or Therapy to Reduce Health Inequities in the United States: ...). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 13, 2025; p 1346.