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(Stacker) — In 2011, a prominent psychologist published an article that highlighted the “human power problem” in mental health: There are too many people needing mental health services, but too few professionals who can provide them.

The authors call for a dramatic shift in the development and dissemination of evidence-based mental health interventions from the traditional model of one-to-one, once-weekly psychotherapy (the focus of this article is on psychological interventions) to novel solutions that leverage technology, special environments, self-help, and media.

More than a decade later, she reported, the problem continues, with nearly a third of the U.S. population living in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. These states are the ones most affected:

The three states with the biggest shortage of mental health professionals

States with the greatest shortages meet less than 11 percent (on average) of their population’s mental health needs.

The three states with the most access to mental health professionals

The best-performing states meet about 60% (on average) of their population’s mental health needs.

• New Jersey

• Rhode Island

• Utah

That’s a dramatic difference.

Areas with shortages of mental health professionals are determined primarily by the presence of psychiatrists.

HRSA estimates there will be a shortfall of between 6,080 and 15,400 psychiatrists by 2025. There will also be a need for hundreds or thousands of additional psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and specialty counselors.

Mental health needs are on the rise, with more than 20% of American adults living with some form of mental illness. Failing to meet their needs is becoming a matter of life and death.

Last year, the number of deaths by suicide hit a record high, beating the previous record by more than 1,000 people, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to get mental health care now

Although staffing shortages remain, the mental health field has made great strides over the past decade. The range of interventions has expanded to include self-help, peer support, group therapy, and coaching. There is a stepped care delivery model, providing individuals with the least resource-intensive yet effective interventions. Care is based on individual preferences and clinical severity, allowing qualified, specialized providers to focus on more severe and critical patients.

It is also now possible for individuals to receive care via telehealth, and legislative changes such as the Psychology Interstate Compact (PSYPACT) allow providers to practice telepsychology across state lines.

People in need can currently get help in the following ways:

• Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options.

• Check with your insurance company about mental health coverage and in-network options.

• Find a reputable mental health provider where you can receive convenient, private, and clinically rigorous care.

What to do if you live in an area with limited access to mental health care

If you live in an area with limited access to licensed mental health providers, there are still ways to access evidence-based support.

• Engage in digital self-help: there are hundreds of apps available to teach you evidence-based skills to manage anxiety, depression, stress, and more.

• Consider telehealth. Telehealth is an increasingly available option that allows those in need to receive timely, convenient, evidence-based care. With no need to worry about distance or transportation, telehealth allows you to access a wider pool of available healthcare providers.

• If you are considering receiving therapy, find out if your state is a member of PSYPACT. If so, you can consider receiving treatment from a provider licensed in a PSYPACT member state, even if that provider is not in the same state as you.

What else can be done to increase access to mental health care?

It’s complicated, but here are some ideas:

• Increase adoption of telehealth services. Two-thirds of healthcare shortages are in rural areas of the country. Telehealth can increase access to healthcare for these populations. What’s more, telehealth services are well-suited to overcome barriers, like long wait times and stigma, that can prevent people from getting the care they need.

• Expand your existing provider workforce by offering incentives to individuals to specialize in mental health. Incentives can range from scholarships and loan repayment programs to mentorship and relocation programs.

• Expand the pool of non-licensed professionals (e.g., coaches, community health workers, peer support specialists) who can be trained to educate and support individuals with mental health needs.

• We will continue to develop powerful, easy-to-use, evidence-based self-help resources to help people with mild to moderate mental health concerns manage their distress.

Everyone deserves access to quality care. You may be in the midst of a mental health crisis or live in an area with a severe shortage of mental health providers, but you have options.

Mental Health Care Worker Shortage Areas by State: Highest to Lowest Met Need

What about your state?

1. New Jersey

2. Rhode Island

3. Utah

4. New Hampshire

5. Nebraska

6. Georgia

7. Virginia

8. Wyoming

9. Massachusetts

10. Mississippi

11. District of Columbia

12. Wisconsin

13. Pennsylvania

14. Iowa

15. Colorado

16. Arkansas

17. Oklahoma

18. South Carolina

19. Michigan

20. Indiana

21. Ohio

22. Texas

23. Idaho

24. Nevada

25. Oregon

26. Minnesota

27. Montana

28. South Dakota

29. Louisiana

30. Kansas

31. Alabama

32. Kentucky

33. California

34. North Dakota

35. Illinois

36. Florida

37. Maine

38. Connecticut

39. Maryland

40. New Mexico

41. Washington

42. Tennessee

43. new york

44. Hawaii

45. West Virginia

46. Missouri

47. North Carolina

48. Alaska

49. Delaware

50. Arkansas

Note: Based on July 2023 data. Vermont data not available.

Jessica Yu received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University.

This story It was produced by her Reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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