**If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 for free and confidential support, or text “MHA” to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor.**
Over 49,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2022—a harrowing reality that’s equivalent to one person lost every 11 minutes. Even more American adults report that they think about suicide or attempt it: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13.2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million made a plan for it, and 1.6 million attempted it.
These numbers illustrate a serious mental health crisis in the United States, and many people simply don’t have access to adequate help. In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates that 59 million people (23% of U.S. adults) had a mental illness, and nearly half didn’t receive any treatment. Considering that more than half of people in the United States live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, and behavioral health professionals are projected to be in short supply come 2036, it’s crucial to bolster the ranks of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other providers so that those who need help can receive it.
In observance of National Suicide Prevention Month, we’re taking a closer look at the mental health crisis in America and discussing how mental health facilities struggling to meet patient demand can leverage locum tenens providers to ensure those struggling with mental illness in their community get the care they deserve.
When is National Suicide Prevention Month?
National Suicide Prevention Month occurs every September and is meant to remember people lost to suicide, recognize their families, spread awareness for those who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts, and advance useful resources for those with mental illnesses.
The very first National Suicide Prevention Month was first declared in 2008, and since then, the observance has inspired many to share their own stories of mental illness or suicidal ideation in the hopes it helps others find medical help.
Is there a mental health crisis in America?
Yes, there is a serious mental health crisis in America—just take it from Americans themselves: a 2022 CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 90% of adults believe there’s a mental health crisis in the country today.
While this poll is only a measure of public perception, other statistics point toward the upsetting reality that more Americans are dealing with mental illness than ever before. According to a CDC report, the number of adults who had received any mental health treatment rose from 19.2% to 21.6% between 2019 and 2021.
Children in America are also dealing with worsening mental health. According to the CDC, the percentage of high school students who reported depressive symptoms rose from 31% in 2017 to 42% in 2021. What’s more, 7% of high schoolers reported having attempted suicide in 2017 compared to 10% in 2021.
Is there a behavioral health workforce shortage?
Yes, in the U.S., 169 million people currently live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. This means they live in an area of the country that severely lacks mental health providers.
The issue is particularly severe for those who live in rural areas of the country. According to the HRSA, 31% of urban counties have a lack of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, while 69% of rural counties have a shortage. The issue remains for psychologists, as 16% of urban counties lack these providers while 45% of urban counties do.
The behavioral health workforce shortage is not expected to lessen in severity over the next few years—in fact, it’s only projected to get worse. HRSA projections show that, if things stay pretty much the same between now and 2036, the U.S. will be short 37,980 adult psychiatrists, 4,150 child and adolescent psychiatrists, and 62,490 psychologists.
Why is there a behavioral health workforce shortage?
There are many factors behind why the U.S. is undergoing a behavioral health workforce shortage, and the reasons run the gamut from varying scope of practice for providers across states, insurance reimbursement barriers, and workforce retention and burnout.
When it comes to scope of practice, some providers are allowed to do more in some states than others, which limits avenues for patients looking for help. Take the NP scope of practice for example: in Georgia, NPs have restricted practice (meaning they must enter a collaborative agreement with a physician) and do not have state laws on the books that specifically allow them to be primary care providers. On the flip side, in Utah, NPs are fully authorized by state law to see patients, provide diagnoses, and prescribe medication and can act as primary care providers.
Insurance reimbursement rates are another factor. According to the HRSA, psychiatrists in select states were reimbursed for psychiatric services at lower rates than primary care doctors doing the same work. Because of this, many behavioral health providers don’t even participate in insurance panels. These factors could lead behavioral health professionals to seek employment in states in which they’ll make more, leaving others without adequate staff.
Lastly, the HRSA cites high turnover and burnout rates as a major challenge for the behavioral health workforce. Burnout has been an issue among healthcare workers of all types for years, but it can lead to high turnover at facilities and push people to leave the profession, exacerbating the workforce shortage.
How can locum tenens behavioral health providers help?
Locum tenens psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric NPs travel for their work, which means they can be deployed anywhere there is a need quickly. If a medical facility is dealing with a shortage of behavioral health providers, they can leverage locum tenens providers to get someone in the door fast and maintain continuity of patient care.
When a facility takes on a locum tenens provider, they’ll ensure patients get seen and buy more time to get a permanent provider on staff.
Locum tenens providers can also help rectify the maldistribution of behavioral health providers in rural areas. Facilities in these places no longer have to wait until they get a permanent provider, instead, they can leverage locum tenens providers who are highly-skilled and pre-vetted to begin providing care fast.
If you’re a behavioral health facility that needs staff quickly, our experienced teams can help you find a locum tenens provider quickly and efficiently. Reach out today to get started.
