The 'silent shortage' of mental health workers
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
If you've had to wait weeks, even months, to see a psychiatrist you're not alone. Minnesota is part of a national trend in a shortage of mental health counselors at a time when roughly one in five Americans will experience a mental health problem as an adult.
The shortage is most acute if you are looking for help in rural America or if you're hoping to see a counselor of color.
How did we get here? And what are the consequences of such an urgent shortage?
MPR News Host Kerri Miller spoke with two guests:
• Dr. Joseph Bianco practices family medicine in Ely with Essentia Health
• Dr. Katharine "Kaz" Nelson is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.