The arguments you're making could really be applied to healthcare in general. Others have pointed out the comparisons to insulin, etc. I think you've basically made an argument for single-payer government healthcare.
However, it's really not true that the typical mental healthcare user is a chronic user. The modal number of visits per outpatient therapy client/patient is 1. Many people feel better after one visit, or decide they don't need it, or it's not worth it (some of it is probably related to availability too, to be fair--they'd like to come more but can't afford it or can't get into the therapist's schedule). You can extrapolate outward from that. Many people come for a few sessions, and then stop without any explanation because they're feeling better but don't want to have an awkward conversation about stopping.
The current zeitgeist with therapy is to taper off or terminate as soon as possible, and reinitiate as needed, at least in the US. My sense is the pendulum has swung too far in the shorter end of the spectrum, and a lot of people would benefit from more sessions, but even when they can afford it, are being cut off as soon as possible by therapists who are afraid of being seen as stringing people along. In some ways this is a good thing, but therapy length should really be dictated by need (short or long).
The arguments you're making could really be applied to healthcare in general. Others have pointed out the comparisons to insulin, etc. I think you've basically made an argument for single-payer government healthcare.
However, it's really not true that the typical mental healthcare user is a chronic user. The modal number of visits per outpatient therapy client/patient is 1. Many people feel better after one visit, or decide they don't need it, or it's not worth it (some of it is probably related to availability too, to be fair--they'd like to come more but can't afford it or can't get into the therapist's schedule). You can extrapolate outward from that. Many people come for a few sessions, and then stop without any explanation because they're feeling better but don't want to have an awkward conversation about stopping.
The current zeitgeist with therapy is to taper off or terminate as soon as possible, and reinitiate as needed, at least in the US. My sense is the pendulum has swung too far in the shorter end of the spectrum, and a lot of people would benefit from more sessions, but even when they can afford it, are being cut off as soon as possible by therapists who are afraid of being seen as stringing people along. In some ways this is a good thing, but therapy length should really be dictated by need (short or long).