NMHWAC

The Behavioral Health Provider Shortage Crisis

There is an enormous shortage of behavioral health providers in the workforce. The current number of providers serves less than half of people needing services in the U.S. 

Barriers To Growing the Workforce

Though there is a shortage of behavioral health providers, many who want to become providers face substantial barriers to getting there.

• 43% of master's level graduates NEVER earn their license due to financial, time, regulatory barriers, or burnout.
• More than 2/3 of graduate internships in behavioral health are UNPAID.

The provider shortage and barriers to entering the workforce disproportionately impacts clients, graduates, and students with historically marginalized identities.

NMHWAC Initiative As a Solution

The solution to the behavioral health provider shortage requires focused support for behavioral health organizations who serve marginalized populations, as well as reducing barriers typically faced by recent behavioral health program graduates and current graduate students with historically marginalized identities.