There aren’t enough mental health professionals in the U.S. to meet the growing demand. We’re here to help.
Contributed by Don Mordecai, MD, National Leader for Mental Health and Wellness, Kaiser Permanente
Many places across the U.S. don’t have enough mental health care professionals.
In the U.S. 1 in 3 people lives in an area with a shortage of mental health workers. Low-income areas and communities of color are most affected. And it can be difficult to access care in rural areas and economically stressed cities.
There’s an urgent need to train and license more people to meet the demand for mental health care.
That’s why Kaiser Permanente is taking steps to help more people become mental health professionals.
The Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences provides education and training in mental health counseling. Students receive direct clinical training at Kaiser Permanente medical centers.
The 2-year program prepares people to be licensed as marriage and family therapists in the state of California. Marriage and family therapists treat a wide range of mental and emotional conditions, including anxiety, depression, and substance misuse.
The Mental Health Scholars Academy supports our employees who want to change careers and join the mental health workforce. Each year, the academy helps train hundreds of new mental health professionals who intend to work for Kaiser Permanente in our Northern and Southern California regions.
Employees in the program pursue advanced degrees while continuing to work. They receive significant financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
We need mental health workers who reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our members. Of the 306 active employees and graduates of the Mental Health Scholars Academy, 77% are people of color and 40% are bilingual.
Both of these programs support the well-being of our members and communities by educating future mental health workers.
After finishing their education, aspiring mental health professionals face a big hurdle. They need many hours of supervised work experience to qualify for a license to practice. And they often have to pay for that supervision out of their own pockets.
But finding and paying for that essential part of their training isn’t always easy.
In California, we have several associate and fellowship programs for people with master’s degrees to help meet this need. In addition to supervised work experience, people in our associate programs receive wages and benefits.
In Oregon and Washington, we launched a post-master's degree associate program in 2023. These employees receive standardized training as well as supervised clinical hours.
By the end of 2024, we plan to have similar associate programs in every state where we provide care.
In Colorado and Georgia, our Mental Health Workforce Accelerator program has a similar mission to help reduce the barriers to licensure. It helps students and recent graduates with job placement, salary support, and options for clinical supervision. This program focuses on placing workers at sites that serve vulnerable communities to help increase access to care.
Learn more about how we’re expanding access to mental health services.
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
The Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center started as a …
Kaiser Permanente supports the ballot measure to expand and improve mental …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
Supporting behavioral and mental health in communities where needs are …
Grateful for compassionate and successful Hodgkin lymphoma treatment at …
Everyday Health
Better public policies can help address the challenges. We encourage policymak …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
Pavan Somusetty, MD, explains how people who need support and guidance …
Six steps help you prep for winter trips.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Fontana Unified School District brings …
Use biofeedback to help manage stress.
Former Major League Baseball player Drew Robinson shares his story of hope …
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club star defender Naomi Girma, Kaiser Permanente …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Our employees and physicians are the heart of Kaiser Permanente.
Kaiser Permanente increases access to mental health services in Southern …
Expanding access to high-quality mental health services
These tips from Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national mental health …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
They work at Kaiser Permanente. They volunteer across the country — even …
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Unique challenges and societal pressures can impact men’s emotional well-being …
Kaiser Permanente and the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club host a second Wave …
Kaiser Permanente is here to help with care and valuable tools to support …
Take time to adjust to a new baby and lifestyle changes — and reach out …
Shared experience helps young people in Oregon build confidence for their …
Creating a healthy relationship with social media can help safeguard the …
A Kaiser Permanente member shares his personal journey of navigating bipolar …
Changing my career and becoming a therapist revealed ways our country can …
Susan Sandhu struggled to find meaning in her life after an injury forced …
Trauma-informed outreach efforts in Orange County are being recognized …
Expanded access to high-quality, affordable mental health care supports …
Early diagnosis and individualized care can lead to better outcomes for …
We value and respect employees and physicians of all backgrounds, identities, …
Child psychiatrist defines anxiety, its symptoms, how to address it, and …
Kaiser Permanente is confronting future health care staffing challenges …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Special Olympics Southern California …
Treatment for bipolar disorder and opiate addiction helps a Kaiser Permanente …
Southern California psychiatrist offers practical advice for parents to …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
Kaiser Permanente provides members with convenient ways to improve their …
For America to build — and keep — a health care workforce big enough to …
A sleep expert shares 4 practical tips for coping with the time shift and …
Project Nurture in Portland, Oregon, provides treatment and a path forward …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
Valerie Dionne wins our 2023 George Halvorson Community Health Leadership …
Kaiser Permanente invests $3.3 million to build healthy social connections …
New regional president brings broad health plan experience to the region. …
A Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist shares advice for coping when stress won't …
Why paint yourself into a corner with a resolution you’re half-hearted …
Find addiction and recovery information, assessments, and ways to get support …
Experience the best of the season by following these tips from an adult, …
A behavioral health consultant in Portland, Oregon, shares how mindfulness …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
What you eat can impact your mental health.
Explore fresh ways to get motivated and incorporate wellness into your …
Recognizing the warning signs associated with suicide can help save lives. …
Collaboration offers ambitious young people an introduction to a health …
Support, talk about, and advocate for kids’ mental health. Otherwise, greater …
When someone you care about is struggling, it can be hard to know what …
A sports medicine physician and mental health therapist discuss the mind-body …
A child leaving home for the first time can cause parents feelings of both …
We reflect on 3 major COVID-19 surges, urgent vaccination efforts, and …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
A Kaiser Permanente radiation oncologist shares how giving patients a voice …
Strengthening America’s health care workforce
At our school of medicine, future doctors learn that to better treat patients …
In a new documentary, more than 20 young people share their stories: how …
An innovative telehealth program gives patients direct access to pharmacists …
A $60,000 grant will support the assessment of social-emotional health, …
Kaiser Permanente’s new Center for Gun Violence Research and Education …
He needed help coping with back pain while ending his reliance on opioids. …
Stress can easily become anger. But you can practice self-care to head …
A Kaiser Permanente physician shares new research and advice for the leading …
We must do more to prevent gun violence and educate on its health implications …
Las conversaciones honestas ayudan a que los jóvenes se sientan seguros …
Trusted conversations help youth feel safe when community violence occurs.
A community program dedicated to helping schools and districts meet the …
Newly released results show the Presence of Mind initiative can be an effectiv …
As overdose deaths skyrocket, an addiction medicine specialist explains …
NBA player Onyeka Okongwu and his mother, Kate, a Kaiser Permanente nurse, …
We applaud President Biden and Congress as they begin to set policies that …
A recent survey shows that many people are turning to online wellness tools …
Assessment helps parents and caregivers intervene early when kids are at …
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician …
As unhealthy eating behaviors increased during the pandemic, care teams …
Stuck at home during the pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente member with autoimmune …
Guidance to help parents understand when moodiness is a normal part of …
A good night’s rest provides mental and physical benefits. Take advantage …
What you eat affects how you feel, both physically and emotionally. Here …
Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national leader for mental health …
Helping people strengthen connections, maintain healthy routines, and find …