Virtual Therapy Alaska

Accessible Virtual Therapy for Alaska Residents

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that about 132,000 Alaska residents struggle with a mental health condition, including chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. This number is four-times greater than the population of the state’s capital city, Juneau. Of added concern, is that about 36,000 Alaska adults have a serious mental illness, and that nearly 17% of AK youth between the ages of 12-17 experience a major depressive episode each year. Of significant concern, is current data that points to Alaska having the highest rate in the U.S. for suicide, particularly among its Indigenous populations, with rates often double the national average, alongside high rates of substance use disorders, often linked to trauma and cultural factors like rapid change and historical stressors. PTSD and other mental health challenges are also disproportionately high in the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, contributing to these severe health disparities.

Without intervention, the state is headed for an especially challenging future because 56% of Alaska residents live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. To overcome barriers to accessing qualified support, Kindbridge has stepped in to offer powerful virtual therapy. Alaska residents (individuals, couples, and families) can connect to a specialized counselor right here, right now.

“Alaska has the highest rate of suicide in the U.S..” (National Library of Medicine)

Using Technology to Overcome Tech Addictions

Technology addiction is one of the fastest growing threats to public health in The Last Frontier. Problematic behavior regarding engagement with internet-enabled activities has compromised the wellbeing of vulnerable and at-risk residents. These issues include the following:

• Problematic online gambling behavior: Research shows that problem gambling rates among Alaska’s Indigenous population is higher than the national average, ranging from 6.6 to 22% which is four to 16 times higher than the rates found among non-Indigenous populations in the state.
• Problematic use of pornography: Research finds that Alaska ranks 2nd in the entire United States for online viewership of pornography.
• Problematic online trading behavior: National studies suggest that 8% of investors meet the criteria for compulsivity regarding online trading.
• Unhealthy video gaming: National studies suggest around 3-5% of gamers experience issues with unhealthy gaming.
• Problematic online shopping behavior: Online shopping behavior is particularly high in Alaska due to limited local retail access, especially in remote communities. National studies suggest that up to 16% of Americans struggle with unhealthy online shopping behavior. It’s estimated that 118,400 Alaskans may be affected, assuming the state mirrors national averages. 

As a virtual counseling platform, Kindbridge leverages technology to treat all of the above. Counseling specific to each issue are available to any Alaska resident with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (everyone). Click or call to connect right now.

Successfully Treating Cooccurring Issues

A number of mental health concerns are comorbid with technology addictions. Whether you struggle with one or more of these as cooccurring (w/ problem tech use) issues or they are standalone concerns, we will help.

Anxiety	ADHD
Bipolar Disorder	Chronic Anger + Irritability
Depression	OCD
PTSD	Substance Use Disorder