How states compare by the shortage of mental health professionals—and how much they fall short
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How states compare by the shortage of mental health professionals—and how much they fall short
A therapist listening to a client who is seated on the couch.
Even though the demand for virtual mental health services exploded in 2020, 37 states have reported shortages in quality mental health care availability. The Department of Health and Human Services, or DHHS, projects a deficit equalling nearly 27,000 full-time jobs across nine professions, including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, and social workers, by 2025.
The DHHS also employed Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to project an alternative scenario—one far more alarming. With SAMSHA data incorporated, the country will be short 250,510 people in nine critical mental health professions by 2025. Population growth, aging, economic conditions, and the geographic location of the health workforce are some of the many factors that could lead to such shortages.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, which is charged with improving access to quality mental health care for isolated and/or financially vulnerable communities, oversees programs that allocate educational resources as well as clinical training integrating mental health care with primary care.
Charlie Health investigated how every state ranks in the shortage of mental health professionals and what it would take to close the shortfall using data from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Census Bureau. States are ranked by the percentage of counties with a mental health professional shortage.
Only geographic areas with a fully designated shortage status and listed ratio of patients to providers were included in the list. The following states are not included because they do not currently have any counties or census tracts designated with mental health professional shortages: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Research suggests that training mental health workers in community-based settings—and rural areas that often experience shortages—is likely to produce providers willing to serve these high-need areas during their careers. Focusing resources in states with the most significant lack of mental health care providers could eliminate more than 40% of the projected shortages. Seven states have more than half of the counties with shortages. Six of these seven states are in the Midwest, where communities are generally more spread apart, which can impede access to a mental health care provider. Keep reading to learn where shortages are worst.
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#37. Wisconsin
A view of Madison across the water.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.39% (22,845 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 53,753 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 23,753
FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock
#36. Florida
An aerial view of Boca Raton.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.47% (101,823 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 40,729 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 10,729
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#35. Montana
Billings with a backdrop of mountains.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.53% (5,897 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 11,794 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 9,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 2,794
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
#34. New York
A cityscape view of Lower Manhattan.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.60% (119,569 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 75,787 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 45,787
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#33. Pennsylvania
The Pittsburgh skyline as viewed from the hills.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.61% (79,196 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 35,594 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 5,594
Brandon Burris // Shutterstock
#32. Arizona
Downtown Phoenix.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 0.73% (52,947 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 75,639 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 45,639
Jess Kraft // Shutterstock
#31. Oregon
Astoria as seen overlooking the Astoria Megler Bridge as it crosses the Columbia River.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 1.13% (48,028 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 68,611 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 38,611
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#30. Virginia
The skyline of Richmond.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 2.02% (174,192 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 57,584 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 27,584
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#29. West Virginia
Charleston at sunset.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 3.14% (56,058 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 46,715 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 16,715
Gary R Ennis Photos // Shutterstock
#28. Michigan
Downtown Traverse City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 3.91% (393,303 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 59,700 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 29,700
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#27. Maine
The waterfront in Portland.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 4.14% (56,788 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 49,456 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 19,456
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#26. Missouri
The St. Louis Gateway Arch.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 4.37% (269,528 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 31,024 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 1,024
Rigucci // Shutterstock
#25. California
The San Diego skyline, as viewed from Point Loma Island.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 4.75% (1,864,445 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 105,072 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 75,072
Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock
#24. North Carolina
An aerial view of Winston-Salem.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 5.83% (614,743 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 102,048 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 72,048
eurobanks // Shutterstock
#23. Maryland
Pedestrians strolling on a boardwalk in Ocean City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 10.14% (624,847 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 54,008 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 24,008
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#22. Hawaii
An aerial view of a beach and buildings in Honolulu.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 11.35% (163,618 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 109,079 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 79,079
Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock
#21. Texas
An aerial view of Austin and Lady Bird Lake.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 11.39% (3,363,727 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 42,109 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 12,109
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#20. Louisiana
An aerial view of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 11.90% (550,377 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 74,564 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 44,564
Nolichuckyjake // Shutterstock
#19. Tennessee
A scene from downtown Johnson City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 13.54% (944,598 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 57,116 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 27,116
TLF Images // Shutterstock
#18. Oklahoma
US Route 66 in Oklahoma.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 14.20% (566,076 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 47,513 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 17,513
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#17. Mississippi
A view of Jackson at sunset.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 17.07% (503,475 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 177,657 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 147,657
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#16. Ohio
Columbus at night.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 17.13% (2,017,452 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 52,432 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 22,432
ESB Professional // Shutterstock
#15. Georgia
A view of Atlanta’s skyline from Lake Meer in Piedmont Park.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 17.52% (1,891,606 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 32,192 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 2,192
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#14. Kansas
A view of modrn buildings in Wichita.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 18.90% (554,596 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 50,723 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 20,723
Hank Shiffman // Shutterstock
#13. South Dakota
The western suburbs of Rapid City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 19.53% (174,838 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 71,517 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 41,517
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#12. Alabama
The Mobile skyline.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 19.53% (984,262 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 34,119 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 4,119
Max Lindenthaler // Shutterstock
#11. Washington
The Seattle skyline near sundown, featuring the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 20.19% (1,562,227 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 238,759 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 208,759
Sandra Burm // Shutterstock
#10. Minnesota
A street view of downtown Stillwater.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 20.58% (1,174,675 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 80,523 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 50,523
Marc Cappelletti // Shutterstock
#9. Alaska
Boats and buildings in Sitka.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 24.30% (178,073 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 70,488 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 40,488
Jason Finn // Shutterstock
#8. Utah
Homes located in a prime Highland neighborhood with mountain and sky views.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 26.23% (875,430 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 304,668 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 274,668
Lauren Orr // Shutterstock
#7. Colorado
Mountain views in downtown Telluride.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 27.97% (1,625,866 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 57,599 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 27,599
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#6. Nevada
An aerial view of Carson City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 29.41% (924,579 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 230,707 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 200,707
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#5. Iowa
An overhead view of downtown Iowa City.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 31.50% (1,005,699 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 45,199 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 15,199
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#4. Indiana
An aerial view of downtown Indianapolis.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 31.68% (2,155,859 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 74,775 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 44,775
DiegoMariottini // Shutterstock
#3. Illinois
Skyscrapers and Lake Michigan in Chicago.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 36.06% (4,568,804 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 78,929 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 48,929
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#2. Idaho
A distant view of the Boise skyline.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 51.33% (975,776 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 51,415 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 21,415
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#1. Nebraska
The Omaha skyline at night.
– Population in mental health professional shortage areas: 53.57% (1,051,891 people)
– Median patient-to-professional ratio in shortage areas: 1 for every 41,059 professionals
– Median goal patient-to-professional ratio: 1 for every 30,000
– Difference between actual and goal ratio: 11,059
This story originally appeared on Charlie Health and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
