Worldwide there is a serious shortage of mental health professionals. To better support people with mental health needs, we need to fix the gap between the demand for care and the limited supply of affordable, high-quality services.
Some ways to help include reviewing how mental health providers are paid, investing in training more professionals, adopting new ways to deliver care, and building stronger provider networks.
Practically – there are other ways we could address the lack of access to mental health services:
1.ย ย ย TELEHEALTH IN RURAL AREAS: Rural areas have the biggest shortages, but telehealth can help provide care remotely.
2.ย ย ย TRAINING NON-SPECIALISTS: Non-specialist providers could be trained to handle mental health cases, which could reduce wait times and increase access to care within insurance networks. Workplace programs, like wellness workshops and personalized feedback, can teach employees how to recognize signs of mental distress and what treatment options are available.
3.ย ย ย PROVIDING ONLINE ASSESSMENTS WHICH MATCH WITH EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS: This could lower healthcare costs while improving care for individuals.
4.ย ย ย PAYING MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS APPROPRIATELY. Although mental health has been a focus for policymakers for over a decade, mental health providers are still paid less than other types of doctors. In 2017, they earned less than primary care doctors and specialists for similar services, and this pay gap has only grown.
5.ย ย ย INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION AND EARLY TREATMENT PROGRAMS. Focusing on prevention, early support, and reducing stigma in communities can help prevent issues like suicides from increasing. These investments could lead to better, more complete care for people who need it. In schools, a comprehensive approach to mental health and substance use education can help children understand their own mental well-being, identify problems early, and reduce the stigma around mental health issues and substance use disorders.
6.ย ย ย INTEGRATING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE. The lack of integration between physical and mental healthcare can delay the diagnosis of mental health issues and prevent patients from receiving comprehensive care. Placing mental health care managers in primary care clinics could support patients’ regular doctors by improving mental health screenings and treatment, while also managing their physical health conditions at the same time.
7.ย ย ย BUILDING STRONG DATA AND ANALYTICS SYSTEMS to support value-based contracting could lower healthcare costs and improve the mental health care experience, especially for those already receiving treatment. Predictive analytics help identify people who would benefit most from evidence-based treatments from providers of this treatment who are proven effective.
