U.S. Value: 284.3
Healthiest State: Massachusetts: 693.6
Least-healthy State: Alabama: 120.8
Definition: Number of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care as well as those treating alcohol and other drug abuse per 100,000 population
Data Source & Year(s): U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, September 2021
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2022.
Mental health providers offer essential care to adults and children who have a mental or behavioral disorder by offering services such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, medication and therapeutic interventions. The mental health workforce includes a broad array of professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, professionals treating alcohol and other drug abuse and advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care.
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, about one in five Americans experienced some form of mental illness (not including substance abuse disorders) in 2019, but only 44.8% of adults with any mental illness and 65.5% with a serious mental illness reported receiving treatment in the past year. Gallup stats reported (according to the U.S. Census Burea) that one third of Americans are showing signs of clinical depression or anxiery (https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349229/mood-world.aspx).
An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than 119 million Americans live in mental health shortage areas, and only 26.9% of the need is being met. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing reported that 77% of counties in the United States are experiencing a severe shortage of mental health providers. Demand for mental health professionals is projected to increase during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the majority of the population (70%) lives in close proximity to a mental health treatment facility (less than 10 miles), mental health provider shortages remain common. Populations with limited access to mental health care include:
Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to mental health, including:
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/MHP/state/IN Last accessed 11 July 2022
Strategies to cope with shortages and to increase the number of mental health professionals include:
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/MHP/state/IN Last accessed 11 July 2022