How do you feel therapy is treated in the US? Do you feel like it’s easy to access and socially accepted? Compare that to living in Norway, where mental health services are seamlessly woven into public healthcare, ensuring every citizen has access regardless of income. Do you feel like therapy is critical for the health and happiness of a population? Should governments take the bold step of making therapy a requirement to address mental health crises on a societal scale?

Welcome to your Dinner Table Debates Daily Deep Dive where we explore real topics from our decks and give you everything you need to debate, in under 10 minutes. Today's topic is “Therapy should be mandated by the government” and comes from our Full Size Essentials Collection deck. Let’s dig in.

Therapy, or mental health counseling, is a critical tool for improving emotional well-being, yet it remains underutilized due to stigma, financial barriers, and lack of access. Some nations and regions have experimented with mandating therapy for specific groups. For example, Germany’s healthcare system includes robust mental health coverage, and South Korea mandates counseling for soldiers to address mental health issues arising from military service. Studies underline therapy’s value. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for up to 75% of patients with depression or anxiety. Moreover, untreated mental health issues cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually in lost productivity, according to the World Health Organization. Rising rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety paint a troubling picture of mental health in the U.S. Social media pressures, the skyrocketing cost of living, and a worsening sense of societal disconnection contribute to an escalating crisis. Could mandated therapy provide a lifeline, offering structured support to tackle these challenges head-on? Or would such a policy risk infringing on personal freedoms and overwhelm already strained mental health systems?

Mental health impacts every facet of society, from personal relationships to workplace productivity. Debating whether therapy should be mandated by the government touches on questions of public health, personal freedom, and societal responsibility.

Now, let’s debate.

Agree - Therapy should be mandated by the government: Mandating therapy could tackle the escalating mental health crisis in the U.S., where suicide rates have surged nearly 30% over the past two decades. Denmark, which provides free mental health services to all citizens, offers a blueprint, showing how prioritizing mental well-being can lead to significant reductions in mental health issues nationwide. Addressing mental health proactively could save billions in healthcare costs and lost productivity. According to the WHO, every $1 invested in mental health treatments yields a $4 return in improved health and productivity. A government mandate could normalize therapy, reducing stigma and encouraging more people to seek help willingly. South Korea’s mandated military counseling shows how normalizing mental health care can break cultural taboos.

Disagree - Therapy should not be mandated by the government: Mandating therapy infringes on personal freedom. Individuals should have the right to choose whether or not to engage in mental health services. No one should be forced to go to therapy. Many regions lack the infrastructure and professionals to support a mandate. For example, in rural areas of the U.S., there are significant shortages of mental health providers, making widespread implementation unrealistic. Therapy is most effective when sought voluntarily. Mandating participation could lead to resistance, undermining its benefits.

Now for some rebuttals: While therapy has proven benefits, mandates risk prioritizing quantity over quality, potentially overwhelming existing systems and diminishing the care provided. Go...