HERS MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW - IS IT WORTH IT FOR ANXIETY & DEPRESSION?

For many, seeking mental health care is a major step in and of itself. But, it’s followed by another big step: deciding which mental health professional to go to. It’s not a decision to take lightly, but understanding your options can make it easier.  

There are several different types of mental health professionals practicing across the U.S. today. These types of professionals differ in the care that they offer.  

• Psychologists, counselors, therapists, clinicians, and clinical social workers can offer therapy and diagnose mental health conditions
• Psychiatrists, psychiatric and family nurse practitioners, primary care doctors, and psychiatric pharmacists can prescribe and monitor medication for mental health conditions (as well as offer therapy and diagnoses in some cases)

Keep in mind that these designations can vary from state to state, so you may need to check out your region’s healthcare regulations. But, as a general rule of thumb, if you need prescription medications to manage a mental health condition, you’ll need to visit a licensed psychiatrist instead of a psychologist.

Unsure where to start? Take this short, free quiz to learn if you’re a good candidate for professional psychiatric care:

5 Min Anxiety Test

Receiving a diagnosis for a mental health condition can seem daunting (and, dare we say, anxiety-inducing?). But it doesn’t have to be that way.  

Getting diagnosed with a mental health condition is actually pretty straightforward. After finding a care provider that you trust, you’ll undergo an evaluation. Basically, you’ll chat with your provider about your symptoms, thoughts, and feelings. They’ll also ask about aspects of your physical health and your medical and family history that could be contributing to your symptoms.  

Pinpointing mental illness can be tricky, so your provider will try to gather as much information as possible before diagnosing. Paying close attention to your symptoms (and even taking notes for the type A people among us) before your appointment can help you receive the most accurate diagnosis possible.  

Over the past several decades, growing mental health awareness has paved the way for a mental healthcare revolution. The COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to the fire, and we now have a plethora of telemedicine offerings, including several dedicated exclusively to mental healthcare. From meditation apps to online therapy platforms to virtual psychiatry for ADHD and even psychedelic therapy for PTSD, there are options aplenty for remotely improving your mental well-being.  

But why exactly are more and more people turning to telemedicine for mental health care? While each patient may have their personal preferences, here are some of the key benefits virtual mental health clinics offer patients with conditions like anxiety, depression, and even ADHD:  

Lower cost

If you’ve ever had to pay for in-person psychiatry or therapy out-of-pocket, you know what we’re talking about. The average price for a single psychotherapy session in the U.S. can creep up to $200 or more. And, sadly, even if your insurance plan offers some mental healthcare coverage, it can be a challenge to find an in-network provider that’s not a serious commute from your home (and, let’s face it, traffic doesn’t exactly help with stress and anxiety).  

Telemedicine platforms tend to offer flexible subscription-based programs, allowing you to pay a flat monthly fee for the care that you need. Hers even offers a-la-carte therapy sessions, which can be helpful in incredible stressful moments (and save you $).

More Flexibility

Mental healthcare needs can vary drastically from person to person. Some of us need occasional therapy sessions, others of us need medication management, and many people fall somewhere in between. With telemedicine, the ability to message your provider from home makes it easy to find a treatment plan that fits your specific needs.

Greater Convenience

Speaking of having therapy at home – telemedicine gives patients the ability to save time (and gas money, stress, planning, coordination, the list goes on…) by never having to visit a doctor’s office to receive mental healthcare. For those of us with clock-a-block schedules, that convenience is huge.  

Hers is a telemedicine platform that offers many online health services for women. From hair loss to skin concerns, Hers aims to be a one-stop shop for women needing convenient, accessible healthcare services. You might have heard of their counterpart, Hims, which does the same thing for men.  In 2020, soon after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hims & Hers both launched mental health services. 

Check out hers

Because all anxiety and depression treatments offered through Hers are prescription medications, they can only be purchased with a prescription from a qualified medical professional.

To begin , you’ll start with an online (virtual) consult with a doctor. First you’ll need to create a profile and answer a few questions about your health, lifestyle, medical history, and symptoms.  

After providing this information, patients must provide a government-issued ID and a credit card. Rest assured, your details are safe with Hers – the company encrypts all of this info within their secure platform.

Once your profile is complete, you’ll be matched with a provider that will work with you to set up your virtual consultation and craft a personalized treatment plan. 

If you’re interested in online therapy with Hers, you may be happy to learn that you don’t need to purchase a subscription. You can pay as you go OR buy a set of weekly or monthly sessions. In either case, sessions cost $99 each.  

If you’re seeking Rx medication, however, Hers does require a subscription for online psychiatry services. For your first month, you can receive depression and anxiety medications for just $25. After the first month, you’ll be charged:  

• $85 per month for a monthly subscription
• $49 per month for a three-month subscription ($123 for your first three months, followed by $147 billed quarterly)

Your Hers subscription will automatically renew. If you want to cancel, make sure to do so at least seven days before the renewal date to avoid being doulbe charges!  

Here’s the pricing breakdown for mental health supplements on Hers:

• Sleep Tight Gummies: $19
• Mind Unwind: $25

Hers doesn’t accept health insurance currently. This makes the platform ideal for patients who lack coverage for mental health treatment, but need access to affordable services nonetheless. That said, it’s also a much more convenient option for those with health insurance.