Britons are turning to unconventional sources like hairdressers, shopkeepers, personal trainers, and even pets for emotional support, as per a survey of 2,000 adults. The study found that 75% of participants rely on these informal confidants for a mental health boost, with nearly 20% seeking comfort in sharing with work acquaintances such as colleagues or managers.
Despite the comfort and familiarity provided by these non-traditional outlets, a survey by BetterHelp indicates that almost half (49%) still struggle to cope, suggesting that informal support networks may not always suffice. BetterHelp’s ‘State of Stigma’ report earlier this year highlighted that while 25% of individuals don’t consider their issues serious enough for professional therapy, 49% find formal support hard to access.
Concerns such as stigma (37%) and limited provider availability (21%) act as barriers to seeking formal therapeutic help, according to the study. Joanne Saulter, a BACP-accredited therapist, emphasized the importance of finding qualified therapists for processing deeper emotional challenges, noting that trusted figures like hairdressers or colleagues might not always have the expertise for such issues.
The research also revealed that 44% of adults would be more open to therapy if they could easily and confidentially switch therapists, especially among the 18-24 age group (63%). Additionally, two-thirds of respondents expressed a preference for non-judgmental, convenient, and understanding therapists, qualities they often find in their informal confidants.
The primary reasons for turning to these surrogate counselors include trust, ease of communication (16%), and understanding (16%). However, data from OnePoll.com showed that 27% of individuals over 65 have never felt the need to confide in anyone, with men 33% more likely than women to doubt the benefits of therapy.
To enhance access to effective mental health support, BetterHelp introduced its Therapist Match Commitment, which leverages member preferences and a data-driven matching algorithm to pair users with suitable local therapists.