Mental Health Providers

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.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

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. 

WHO IS AFFECTED?

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:

• Rural communities, which are less likely to have a mental health treatment facility than metropolitan counties.
• Communities with a higher percentage of Black or Hispanic individuals.
• Low-income communities.

GOALS

Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives related to mental health, including: 

• Increasing the proportion of adults with depression who get treatment.
• Increasing the proportion of adults with serious mental illness who get treatment.
• Increasing the proportion of primary care visits where adolescents and adults are screened for depression.

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/MHP/state/IN  Last accessed 11 July 2022

WHAT WORKS?

Strategies to cope with shortages and to increase the number of mental health professionals include:

• Increasing the use of telemedicine.
• Using workforce development programs to provide mental health training to advanced practice nurses and primary care physicians.
• Encouraging current college students to become psychiatrists.
• Offering incentives to providers to practice in areas with a shortage of health professionals, including loan repayment programs such as the scholarship program run by the National Health Service Corps.
• Providing adequate reimbursement for psychiatric services.
• Integrating mental health into primary care settings, especially for younger populations.

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/MHP/state/IN  Last accessed 11 July 2022