A series of recent studies highlights widening gaps in mental health access, shifting prescription patterns and mixed outcomes across behavioral healthcare in the U.S. The findings point to growing pressures on providers, uneven availability of services and emerging questions around the effectiveness of both traditional and newer treatment approaches.
Here are eight studies to know:
- A study found two-thirds of mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities, also known as “mixed” facilities, accepted older patients through Medicare, compared to 44% of SUD treatment-only facilities, creating access challenges for those who rely on the program.
- Between 2013 and 2023, a study found prescriptions written by psychiatrists and primary care physicians declined annually by 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively, while prescribing by advanced practice nurses and physician assistants increased by 11.8% each year.
- Triage scores for children presenting with mental or behavioral health concerns were inaccurate in two-thirds of cases, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. Over-triage was found to occur in more than half (57%) of visits, while under-triage occurred in approximately one in 12 visits (8%). The most common diagnoses included depressive disorders (25% of visits), suicide or self-injury (23%) and aggressive behavior (24%).
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy was found to be no more effective than traditional antidepressants for treating major depression. Researchers discovered no statistically significant difference in patient improvement between the two approaches, with an estimated difference of 0.3 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.
- Researchers at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University found among patients age 17 and younger, cannabis use disorder was associated with a 52% higher risk of subsequent schizophrenia, a 30% higher risk of recurrent major depression and a 21% higher risk of anxiety disorders, compared to patients with other substance use disorders.
- A study found GLP-1 receptor agonists to be associated with reduced risk of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, nicotine and opioid use disorders, as well as other substance use disorders, suggesting potential prevention effects across a broad range of substances. Among patients with preexisting substance use disorder, GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with lower risk of emergency department visits, hospitalization admission and mortality.
- Nearly half of the U.S. states were found to meet 25% or less of their estimated mental health workforce needs, according to a March report from Inseparable. At least 14 states reported “catastrophic shortages” in their psychiatric hospitals, 17 reported such shortages in community mental health providers, and 13 in behavioral health crisis systems. Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa and Nebraska reported catastrophic shortages across all three.
- A survey found 84% of primary care providers said they must play an essential role in meeting rising demand for mental and behavioral health treatment in the U.S. Eighty percent of respondents said rising demand for mental and behavioral healthcare contributes to their own feelings of burnout and stress. The survey cited time constraints and the lack of treatment facilities in their communities as key factors.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
