SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Stacker) — The stigma surrounding mental health has decreased significantly in the United States, meaning more people can get treatment than ever before. But other barriers, like a shortage of mental health professionals, continue to pose problems for people who would otherwise seek help. More than one in 10 Americans lack adequate access to mental health care, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
ADHD Advisor used data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to map and analyze mental health provider shortages across the U.S. Underserved areas are considered when there is less than one provider per 30,000 people, or a ratio of 1 to 20,000 in high-need communities. This analysis focuses on geographic shortage areas, but other designations may impact certain demographics or facilities, such as prisons.
Lack of access to mental health care can have long-term effects across the United States, leading some to go without a proper diagnosis or turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Even for those who are diagnosed, including those with ADHD, inadequate access to mental health care can prevent them from seeking help or properly managing their medications. This is especially true in rural counties, where existing limited access to care, including long wait times and travel distances for treatment, has been further hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Dakota is No. 1 Mental Health Care Deserts. South Dakota has 10 designated geographic mental health care shortage areas spanning 62 counties. Approximately 404,600 residents, or 44.0% of the state’s population, are underserved. Read the national analysis to learn more.
Iowa is 13th Mental Health Care Deserts. Iowa has 55 designated geographic mental health care shortage areas across 70 counties. Approximately 880.7K residents, or 27.5% of the state’s population, are underserved. Read the national analysis to learn more.
Nebraska is 21st Mental Health Care Deserts. Nebraska has five geographic mental health care shortage areas spanning 88 counties. Approximately 295,700 underserved residents, or 14.9% of the state’s population, are underserved. Read the national analysis to learn more.
Five states have more than 35% of their population underserved
The shortage of mental health providers is affecting people in communities across the United States, with South Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico, Indiana and Montana facing the most severe shortages.
It’s a continuous vicious cycle. A shortage of health care workers means doctors and clinicians are shouldering huge caseloads, which can lead to burnout and increased turnover. In New Mexico, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the state needs at least 61 mental health professionals to ease the strain, but low wages make it difficult to recruit from outside the state.
Lawmakers at the local and federal levels are working together to try to improve the situation.
The Biden administration is pumping billions of dollars into improving access to care, including grants to increase the supply of mental health professionals in high-need areas. States are also playing an active role by offering financial incentives, such as student loan repayment. Apprenticeship programs could also help stem some of the talent shortage in high-need areas. In Alabama, for example, students earning a master’s degree in social work at the University of Alabama can gain real-world experience while still getting paid.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the mental health crisis, its effects are being felt across the country: In 2020, Americans spent about $280.5 billion on mental health and substance abuse treatment, with about a quarter of that covered by Medicaid spending alone.
This story features data reporting by Elena Cox and Paxtin Marten, writing by Elena Cox, and is part of a series on leveraging data automation across 47 states.
This story originally appeared on ADHD Advisor , produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
