As nearly 2,400 Kaiser mental health workers continue their strike, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the mental health industry is not providing the care most people need. While the striking workers are asking for more time to manage their workloads and better pay, the root problem runs much deeper than inadequate staffing and overworked therapists. The real issue is that the entire mental health care model is focused on managing symptoms rather than addressing the core needs of people’s nervous systems and emotional well-being.
Kaiser claims their contingency plan during the strike is “working well,” but reports from patients and workers say otherwise. Appointments are delayed, follow-ups are missed, and people with serious conditions like schizophrenia are being left without adequate care. The entire system is designed to temporarily bandage people’s pain, without asking what they need to heal. It’s no wonder the system is cracking under the pressure, built on the wrong foundation.
The problem isn’t just about overworked therapists or understaffed clinics. It’s about the way mental health care is conceptualized. The industry is designed to treat symptoms—like depression, anxiety, or PTSD—without addressing the deeper causes of distress. These symptoms aren’t just random malfunctions of the brain; they’re signals from a body and nervous system that are out of balance. Instead of offering quick fixes through cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, we need a care system that supports the entire person—body, mind, and community.
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) offers a more complete framework for understanding mental health. It recognizes that our brains and nervous systems are shaped by our relationships and experiences. When someone is experiencing mental distress, it’s not just because their brain is “dysfunctional.” It’s because their nervous system has been overwhelmed by trauma, stress, or isolation. What people need isn’t just therapy sessions or medications—they need support to restore their nervous system’s natural capacity for regulation.
The current mental health industry, however, isn’t built for this. Systems like Kaiser treat patients as a set of symptoms to manage, not as whole human beings. Even the structure of care—rushed appointments, long waits for follow-ups, and a reliance on short-term fixes—reflects a deep misunderstanding of what mental health really is. People need time, space, and real human connection to heal. They need to be seen, heard, and supported in a way that goes beyond symptom management.
This is why access to the mental health industry isn’t the solution for most people. While it may offer temporary relief, it doesn’t provide the real care that people need to heal. What’s required is a complete shift in how we approach mental health, one that focuses on supporting the nervous system, fostering human connection, and addressing the root causes of distress—not just the surface-level symptoms.
As Kaiser mental health workers fight for better working conditions, it’s essential to recognize that the system they’re part of is fundamentally flawed. We don’t just need more therapists or better pay; we need a new model of care. One that’s informed by the principles of interpersonal neurobiology, that sees mental health as an issue of whole-person care, and that offers real support to help people regulate their nervous systems and restore balance in their lives.
Until the mental health industry shifts its focus from symptom management to actual care, it will continue to fail the people it claims to serve.
This post includes content generated by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. The AI-generated content has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and relevance.
