We do not have have enough mental health workers in Texas

Why Mental Health Awareness Day matters

October 10 is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Day. According to the World Health Organization, “The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.”

The global impact of mental health

We often hear about the “mental health crisis” plaguing both our nation and our global society. In fact, Pew Research reports that 90% of adults feel we are experiencing such a crisis. But understanding and addressing mental health requires a holistic lens. Is there truly a new crisis unfolding, or are we simply more effective at diagnosing conditions that have always been present?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) confirms that, particularly in young people, the “mental health crisis” is indeed a reality. They report that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. was diagnosed with a mental illness in 2021, yet only 47.2% of adults diagnosed were treated.

Barriers to care

This treatment gap can stem from a variety of barriers, including insurance and financial disparities, family and work obligations, and a shortage of available providers. In Texas, this shortage is especially severe. Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and licensed social workers all fall into the category of mental health providers, but there simply aren’t enough of them to meet demand.

As the Texas Tribune notes, “Today, 246 of Texas’ 254 counties are wholly or partly designated by the federal government as ‘mental health professional shortage areas,’ and that’s in a state where roughly 5 million people do not have health insurance. Also, less than 20% of the state’s 10,440 mental health providers who responded to the 2023 workforce survey said they offer mental health services in a language other than English.”

The article also highlights that rural counties are hit hardest, and patients who do not speak English as their primary language are at the greatest risk of lacking access altogether.

“This (deficit) has left 143 counties in the state without a licensed psychologist and 172 without a licensed psychological associate. Metropolitan counties had four times as many licensed psychologists per capita as nonmetropolitan counties.”

Amid these challenges, Buckner is working to bridge the gap by providing free counseling services to clients enrolled in our programs. The need is great: NAMI reports that 839,000 adults in Texas were unable to receive treatment for mental illness, primarily because of cost and location. In total, 15,072,179 Texans live in communities without enough mental health professionals.

With such staggering numbers, it’s clear why we find ourselves in the middle of a mental health crisis. What’s less clear, however, is how to fix it.

Steps we can take

Unfortunately, no single solution can eliminate the many root causes of mental illness. But we can begin by supporting mental health professionals and reducing the cost of care for clients.

All of us have a role to play in creating a better, more equitable world. When confronted with the effects of the mental health crisis, will we simply complain about how it impacts us personally, or will we take action to address the problem?

Whether it’s providing resources, building relationships, or spreading awareness, each of us can do our part to ensure that all individuals have access to the mental health support and care they need to thrive.