WOONSOCKET, R.I. —Mental health challenges continue to weigh heavily on Americans, with 65% of adults reporting concerns about their own or a loved one’s mental well-being, according to a CVS Health survey. The need is especially urgent for young people, as one in seven adolescents worldwide now experiences a mental health disorder.
Despite rising demand, access to care remains limited. Nearly half of the 59 million American adults with mental illness received no treatment in 2023, and those who did often faced months-long waits. Shortages of mental health professionals, affecting more than a third of U.S. residents, further complicate access.
To help close these gaps, MinuteClinic has expanded its virtual mental health services nationwide, now available to individuals, couples, and families ages 13 and older in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Patients can schedule talk therapy appointments seven days a week, including evenings and weekends, through the CVS Health® app or MinuteClinic.com. No referral is required.
“By combining the physical footprint and trusted brands of CVS Health and MinuteClinic with our own workforce of highly trained mental health providers, we’re helping to close the gaps in care that many people face, whether due to provider shortages, stigma or scheduling barriers,” says Taft Parsons III, Vice President and Chief Psychiatric Officer at CVS Health.
The expansion is part of CVS Health’s integrated behavioral health strategy, which connects physical and mental health services. Patients visiting for routine care can be screened for depression and referred to therapy, while those starting therapy can be connected to prescribing providers when medication is appropriate.
Nearly 95% of MinuteClinic counseling sessions occur virtually, with in-person options available in 12 metro areas. Licensed providers—including clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors—offer support for conditions such as anxiety, trauma, grief, and maternal mental health. Counseling is covered under most insurance and employee assistance programs, with direct payment options also available.
“We’ve seen directly how this holistic support can improve health outcomes for our patients,” explains David Fairchild, MD, MPH, SVP and Chief Medical Officer, Retail Health, CVS Health. “When they can access both physical health care and therapy through one connected system, care becomes more effective and less fragmented.”
With this expansion, CVS Health aims to make mental health care more accessible, affordable, and convenient, helping to reduce barriers at a time when the need has never been greater.
