The largest socially marginalized group of Americans is struggling to access mental health care, the support many of them want. One in four Americans has a disability, and while people with disabilities are more likely to have mental health concerns and utilize mental health services, their needs remain largely unmet. In a recently published study, we investigated where mental health services fall short and how care can be improved for people with disabilities in the future.

We interviewed 20 U.S. adults in fall 2022 about their experiences seeking and receiving mental health services. Participants, ages 22 to 67, reported a wide range of visible and invisible disabilities and were diverse in terms of race-ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation; notably, 80 percent of the sample identified as having multiple disabilities. Participants’ narratives revealed six overarching themes that demonstrate the various dimensions of ableism while seeking and receiving mental health care.