In recent times, people have become more aware of mental health issues. This increased awareness is a positive step towards creating a society that values mental health support. Fortunately, there are now more organisations offering mental health services, making it easier for those seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health is also gradually reducing.

With the growing number of organisations providing mental health services, there are some important questions that need to be addressed: Are all these organisations and their staff qualified to offer these services? Is there a need for a standard in providing such services? And, how much should the public be charged for these services?

Counselling and therapy are social services designed to assist individuals, couples, families and groups in addressing personal, social and psychological issues. Counsellors and therapists offer support and guidance to help clients navigate their challenges. This is the essence of the counselling process. However, there is a recurring dilemma around determining the appropriate fees for these services. Counselling is rooted in the belief of understanding and aiding clients. This makes it challenging to assign a fixed price.

Counselling practitioners often recognise that clients seeking their services may face financial constraints. This creates a bigger dilemma for compassionate counsellors. On the one hand, they want to assist clients wholeheartedly, but on the other hand, they are uncertain about how much they should charge, considering the clients’ financial situations. This dilemma is particularly relevant when dealing with individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. People raised in impoverished environments and deprived neighbourhoods are more prone to mental health challenges. It’s a concerning issue that requires attention because those in need may lack the financial means to access support.

All of this adds layers to the question: how much should be charged for mental health services?

Addressing this is essential to make mental health support accessible to those who need it most, as everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, deserves help and the opportunity to understand and improve their mental well-being.

There is also a growing concern about the exploitation of mental health services. While it’s understandable that organisations need to charge for their services, it becomes an issue when these charges create a standard that affects what individuals are willing to pay. This sets a trend for other organisations, continuing the problem. The major question here is: how much is a fair charge for these services, and how can organisations justify their pricing?

When organisations are free to set their own prices, there’s a risk of making them too high for the general public to afford. This creates a situation where those who truly need these services can’t access them. Subsequently, this prompts us to question whether critical services like these should be monetised at all, or if there are better ways to proceed.

While organisations have the right to ensure their sustainability, locking essential services behind affordability walls also raises concerns about fairness. Is it morally right to limit access to certain people just because they can’t afford it? It’s a challenging question to answer, but addressing these concerns is essential if we are to grow as a society.