Mental Health Provider Shortage Needs Integrated Approach Chicago School President Calls for Teamwork
Los Angeles, CA
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April 07, 2023 11:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time
One of two people who need mental health services don’t get it and more than one in three Americans live in a region where there are not enough mental health providers to serve the population.*
The average wait time for a medical doctor’s appointment is up to 26 days, up 24 percent since 2004 and there is a projected shortage of 48,000 primary care physicians in the U.S. by 2034.+ “
At a time when the U.S. faces a severe shortage of mental health providers, many people are also finding it increasingly difficult to get the medical care they need,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
“There is a way for society to address both these problems and that is to integrate the health care system so that primary care and mental health professionals work as a team to treat the whole person more efficiently and effectively,” she said.
“We need to take a community-focused, patient-centered, and holistic view approach to mental and physical healthcare,” said Dr. Nealon explained.
“Many physical ailments put us at risk for psychological disorders and vice versa, so it makes sense for mental health professionals to work closely with medical doctors to treat the patient when they initially present with symptoms, rather than waiting for a referral later.”
“For example, if you have trouble sleeping or your child is experiencing frequent stomach aches, you might turn to your doctor for help. The problem may be physical, yet too often, there are psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or depression that are at play,” Dr. Nealon said.
“At The Chicago School, we are always thinking about how to view humans as part of a larger system—how individuals relate to their family, culture and community,” she explained. “That’s why we are dedicated to educating culturally competent psychologists and counselors who get hands-on training in their communities.”
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s seven campuses nationwide educates 6,000 students, 70 percent of whom identify as people of color.
*Mental Health America https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
+American Academy of Family Physicians
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/wait-times.html
About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology:
Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.
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