How to Address the Mental Health Workforce Shortage

It’s well known that there is a significant workforce shortage for mental health practitioners in the US. 

But things are getting worse – in fact, projections show that by 2025, there will be a shortage of 250,510 FTEs in the US unless action is taken. 

Positions of need include psychiatrists; clinical, counseling, and school psychologists; substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors; mental health and substance abuse social workers; mental health counselors; and school counselors. 

So what can be done to address this crisis? 

First, federal intervention is needed. President Biden recently featured mental health in his 2022 State of the Union speech, and the actions he laid out would have a huge positive effect on addressing workforce shortages. 

Increasing reimbursement rates for mental health services and incentivizing education for mental health practitioners would jumpstart the rebuild of our mental health system. 

Unfortunately, the government doesn’t typically react to problems until they turn into a full-blown crisis. We are well on our way there with workforce shortages in mental health, so the time to act is now. 

Second, technology can help. 

The use of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring will all increase access to care and make providers’ time more efficiently spent. 

Of course, in mental health, a person-to-person connection is essential. Technology will never replace that. 

However, it has a place and we are already seeing some of the benefits – reduced stress via meditation apps, improved medication adherence through smart pill bottles, and more. 

Third, we need to reduce the stigmas associated with seeking mental health care. 

Currently only 40% of those experiencing a behavioral health condition actually seek care. 

As more of the population comes to terms with their mental health conditions and seeks help, there will be an increased demand for mental health services – making the field more attractive for those hoping to enter it. 

A rise in behavioral health providers will have to occur concurrently with a rise in the number of patients seeking help – or else we’ll have a true disaster on our hands. 

Overall, the workforce shortage in mental health is a true crisis, but it isn’t an unsolvable one. 

As awareness increases around this issue, more and more solutions will appear – and that’s good for everyone. 

https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/bhe/perspectives/bidens-plan-confront-behavioral-health-workforce-shortage-3-questions-we-must 

https://www.bhecon.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BHECON-Behavioral-Health-Workforce-Fact-Sheet-2018.pdf