Mental health care deserts are areas where the demand for mental health support has outpaced the supply of providers. More than 137 million Americans live in these areas, which are defined by the federal government as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Local Impact

In Texas, the western part of the state and the Panhandle are particularly underserved, with some counties having no practicing psychiatrist at all. The nearest psychiatrist can be a two- or three-hour drive away, making it difficult for people without reliable transportation or the ability to take time off work to access care.

Other states, such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Wyoming, also have significant shortages of mental health providers. The South and rural West areas carry much of the burden, with many counties having limited or no access to mental health care.

National Issue

The issue of mental health care deserts is not limited to rural or low-income areas. Even in wealthy states like California, Illinois, and New York, there are significant shortages of mental health providers in certain areas. In cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, providers are often clustered in more affluent ZIP codes, leaving lower-income areas with limited access to care.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was created to address the issue of insurers reimbursing mental health services at lower rates than physical health care. However, enforcement of this act has been inconsistent, making it difficult for providers to sustain their practices in areas with high demand for mental health care.

Some primary care practices have started to address the issue by building mental health support into their care, using models like the Collaborative Care Model. This approach introduces a care manager and a consulting psychiatrist into the patient’s care alongside their usual primary care provider.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.