Too Many Patients, Not Enough Mental Health Workers

MASSACHUSETTS — As the state heads into its second holiday season of the coronavirus pandemic, record numbers of Massachusetts residents are looking for mental health services.

But, increasingly, they are finding few options for treatment as already-overworked clinicians are forced to close their practices to new patients.

"I am busier than I have ever been in 25 years, and turning away more patients than I have ever needed to turn away," said Rachel Smook, a Northborough therapist who specializes in treating teenagers. "I treat a number of other therapists within my practice, and both they and my colleagues are also finding that their practices are bursting at the seams."

Nationally, the number of people seeking mental health care has been relatively flat during the pandemic. But in Massachusetts, there is increased — and unmet — demand for mental health services.

In biweekly surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between Sept. 29 and Oct. 11, 17.2 percent of Massachusetts respondents said they had received mental health counseling in the previous four weeks. That was up from 13.1 percent in the same two-week period a year ago.

The percentage of Massachusetts respondents who said they needed counseling but could not get it was 12.3 percent during the same two-week period, up from 8.6 percent a year ago. Smook said that increase in unmet need is largely caused by a system that ties health insurance to employment.

"The CDC actually reports that people's use of mental health services hasn't increased during the pandemic, which is not good news. The need has skyrocketed, but access to care has stayed constant or declined," Smook said. "Healthcare providers of all types are also experiencing burnout, and studies estimate that one in three are considering quitting. It's a mess."

State Legislature Tackles Clinician Shortage

Several bills addressing the shortage are before the state Legislature. One would increase the rates MassHealth pays to licensed mental health clinics and community behavioral health centers. Another would make it easier for patients to get referrals to mental health care providers through their primary care physician.

"We are in a mental health crisis," Association for Behavioral Healthcare President Lydia Conley told the state Legislature's Health Care Financing Committee at a September hearing. "Emergency department boarding is at unprecedented heights, [and] individuals who need behavioral health help are unable to find it."

If You Need Help

The state's Emergency Services Program/Mobile Crisis Intervention (ESP/MCI) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone may contact ESP/MCI for assistance by calling 877-382-1609.

If you are looking for long-term therapy, you can work either through your insurance provider's list or use the following online resources to search for a therapist in your area.

• Psychology Today Boston Therapists List
• The Black Mental Health Alliance
• Zencare LGBT Therapists in Boston Area
• Black Psychiatrist of America Inc.
• InnoPsych

Other resources available to Massachusetts residents:

• Mental Health America offers a mental health toolkit, with separate links to different pages focusing on key topics such as adapting after trauma and stress, dealing with anger and frustration, processing big changes, and more.
• The National Alliance for Mental Illness continues to be an excellent local resource for mental health support. Be sure to check out the virtual NAMIwalks event May 22, and the May 2021 mental health awareness page to share your story.
• City employees have free access to the Boston Navigate Wellness Portal, which offers wellness resources, healthy recipes, seminars and more to help you maintain your mental health.
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides free, 24/7 phone support to any person in distress, as well as prevention and crisis hotlines for friends and family. The number is 800-273-8255.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance continues to offer online support groups for individuals facing depression, bipolar and anxiety. They also offer groups for friends and families of people struggling with these mental health issues. It's free to register, completely anonymous and confidential, and no webcam is necessary.
• Care Dimensions is a hospice organization that also hosts numerous support groups for those struggling with grief and loss. Check out its event calendar for topics, dates and times.

Dave Copeland is Patch's regional editor for Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).