The National Association of Social Workers is calling on policymakers to strengthen investment in the mental health workforce as demand for behavioral health services rises.
The number of designated mental health professional shortage areas in the U.S. rose to 6,807 from 6,418 as of Dec. 31, while the population covered by those designations increased to about 137 million from 122 million. The NASW said shortages can contribute to longer wait times and reduce access to care in rural communities, schools and underserved areas, according to a May 18 news release from the organization shared with Becker’s.
The organization said it supports increasing funding for mental health services, stronger reimbursement rates, loan relief programs and implementation of the social work licensure compact to improve provider mobility across state lines.
NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, cited low reimbursement rates, high caseloads, student debt and burnout as factors driving professionals out of the field. Recent federal student loan limits could also make graduate social work education less accessible as the mental health workforce shortage grows, according to the release.
The NASW also endorsed the bipartisan Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act. The legislation would increase Medicare reimbursement for clinical social workers from 75% to 85% of the physician fee schedule, the release said.
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