Jersey Newsroom reports that New Jersey has 53% of the psychiatrists needed for its residents, with shortages affecting hospitals and community providers.
Psychiatrist workforce gap
Jersey Newsroom reports that New Jersey has 53% of the psychiatrists needed to care for its 9.5 million residents. The outlet cites a report released by Inseparable, a mental health advocacy group, describing workforce shortages in both psychiatric hospitals and community-based providers.
According to Jersey Newsroom, the shortage affects settings where people seek psychiatric and behavioral health care. The report cited by the outlet describes the situation in psychiatric hospitals as reaching “catastrophic” proportions.
Effects on hospital and community services
Jersey Newsroom reports that Inseparable said staffing shortages are serious enough to reduce beds or services for people needing care. The source says community providers face the same workforce crisis as psychiatric hospitals.
Caitlin Hochul, Inseparable’s senior vice president of policymaker relations, told the Asbury Park Press that limited psychiatric beds and providers can leave people without care or waiting long periods for care, according to Jersey Newsroom. The source reports that Hochul said conditions can worsen during those waits.
Need for behavioral health care
Jersey Newsroom reports that more than 1.3 million people in New Jersey had a diagnosed mental health condition as of 2023. The outlet also reports that behavioral health needs have grown nationwide in recent years, according to Inseparable.
According to Jersey Newsroom, Inseparable said nearly half of Americans with mental health challenges go without treatment, while about 80% of people with substance use disorders do not receive help. These nationwide figures were included in the group’s description of behavioral health care needs.
Insurance and specialist access
Jersey Newsroom reports that a 2023 Inseparable report found differences in behavioral health specialist use among New Jersey residents with mental health conditions. According to the source, 46% of those with Medicaid saw a behavioral health specialist.
The same report found that 29% of residents with commercial insurance saw a behavioral health specialist, Jersey Newsroom reports. The source presents those figures alongside the broader psychiatrist workforce shortage identified in New Jersey.
What this means for New Jersey patients
For people looking for treatment locally, workforce shortages reported by Jersey Newsroom may be relevant when searching for available mental health services. This directory lists 163 published clinics in New Jersey.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More New Jersey reporting on workforce.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.