Individuals and families are frequently unaware of the obstacles that keep them from receiving counseling. These are the same ones that can have an impact on a family's capacity to adapt to change, communicate, prevent a crisis, or cope with a catastrophic occurrence. Awareness of these barriers can help clinicians identify and address any issues that may be preventing patients from receiving appropriate treatment. Some families simply don't know about counseling services. If a family doesn't understand what counseling is or why it might benefit them, they won't go looking for information. A lack of awareness of counseling services exists across society. Research shows that less than 20% of individuals in need of mental health care actually receive it (National Institute of Mental Health). Another reason many families don't seek counseling is because they believe they can handle a problem themselves. They may want to think things through by themselves, ask friends for advice, or search for solutions on the Internet. However, this approach can lead to an inability to recognize dangerous signs of distress or take immediate action when needed. For example, if a family member becomes suicidal, they will likely want to talk them out of it, but wouldn't know how to do so effectively without outside assistance. Still other families may feel like they don't deserve counseling. They may believe that their problems are too big or complex for a single session to solve or that they can't afford it.