The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: SAHARA SAULENAS
Across the United States, millions of people are struggling with mental health challenges and not getting the support they need. Rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use have continued to rise. Suicide is now the twelfth leading cause of death, and nearly half of those who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental illness. Some marginalized communities are suffering even more. Native Americans report nearly double the rate of suicidal thoughts, and transgender individuals are nine times more likely to attempt suicide than the national average (NAMI, 2025).
Congress recognized the urgency of this problem when it passed the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 (H.R. 7666). This policy takes steps toward improving our mental health system by funding over 30 federal programs focused on prevention, treatment, and crisis response. It also supports the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and encourages better integration of behavioral health into primary health care. This is an approach that acknowledges that mental and physical health are connected.
This policy created an important start for change in the support for mental health and substance abuse, but there is still a major barrier standing in the way of its success: a severe shortage of mental health professionals.
Support Shortage
Right now, nearly 160 million Americans live in areas with too few mental health providers (NAMI, 2025). In many rural and underserved communities, people must travel hours or wait months for care, if they can access it at all. Burnout among providers is widespread, and the workforce lacks diversity, limiting culturally responsive treatment (Ballout, 2025; National Center, 2024) This is resulting in delayed or missed care and the rise of mental health issues along with an economic burden of roughly $193 billion in lost productivity each year (NAMI, 2025).
Strengthening the Workforce
If we want the Restoring Hope Act to continue to make real improvements, we need to strengthen the workforce that carries it out. That means investing in the people who deliver care such as social workers, counselors, psychologists, physiatrists, and peer support specialists.
A few steps that could make a big difference:
· Expand loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement for behavioral health professionals who serve in shortage areas.
· Increase psychiatric residency slots and provide more training opportunities for future mental health providers (Gates & Mohiuddin, 2022).
· Integrate behavioral health into primary care settings, so people can access help where they already receive medical care (National Center, 2024)
· Grow peer support and telehealth programs, which have proven especially effective in rural and underserved areas.
· Improve pay and reduce administrative burdens, to keep skilled professionals from burning out and leaving the field.
These ideas are feasible, and existing agencies like HRSA and SAMHSA already run programs that could expand to meet these goals. Initial funding costs would be significant, but the long-term savings, both financial and societal, would far outweigh the costs.
A Moral Call to Action
As a current case manager and a student working toward social work, I see this as not only as a policy issue but an ethical concern. Millions of Americans can’t access care, and we need to call for a change. We need a stronger, more diverse mental health workforce to deliver culturally competent care to everyone who needs it. When we invest in providers, we invest in people. We can create continued growth, families can rebuild, students can focus, and communities can heal. The Restoring Hope Act laid the foundation, but we need to expand this by addressing the workforce shortage. This expansion will support citizens mental health needs and expand their access to care.
You can send us your opinions/letters to the editor and studies, along with your name, city and or county location to [email protected]
References
Ballout, S. (2025). Trauma, mental health workforce shortages, and health equity: A crisis in public health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(4), 620. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040620
Gates, A., & Mohiuddin, S. (2022). Addressing the mental health workforce shortage through the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021. Academic Psychiatry, 46 (4), 540–541. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35312991/
Mental health by the numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2025, August 7). https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. (2024). State of Behavioral Health Workforce. In HRSA.gov. https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/state-of-the-behavioral-health-workforce-report-2024.pdf