The National Shortage of Psychiatrists

There’s a reason telepsychiatry is becoming so popular: There’s a national shortage of psychiatrists, and for some places – specifically rural areas – telepsychiatry is the solution to the desperate need for doctors.

One in five adults in America experiences some form of a mental illness, and nearly one in 20 adults live with a mental illness. To make it worse, 60 percent of adults with mental health issues received little or no treatment for their illness in the past year. The demand for psychiatrists is higher than it’s ever been. Nationally, the average amount of need met in any given area is just 44 percent – meaning the majority of individuals suffering get undertreated or receive no treatment at all.

Mental health services are lacking nationwide. It’s expected that between now and 2024, healthcare employment will grow another 19 percent. Though there’s always a need for more doctors, this national shortage of psychiatrists has come on fairly recently. According to Health eCareers, there could be several reasons (both good and bad) for the recent increase in the need for psychiatrists.

One reason the demand for psychiatrists has increased so drastically is because more Americans are gaining coverage of healthcare. Though the healthcare plan may change, the Affordable Care Act has a law which states that insurers can no longer deny coverage to people who have diagnosed mental illnesses. Furthermore, increased awareness for mental health has affected how access to quality healthcare is addressed in many states.

Another reason that there is such a demand for psychiatrists is because fewer medical students specialize in psychiatry. This could be because psychiatry jobs generally don’t pay as well as other fields or because of generational differences. Psychiatry was very popular in the 60s and 70 and has since declined in popularity, despite increased conversation about the importance of mental healthcare.

Many who suffer from mental health issues and seek help can receive the care they need from a counselor or therapist – but for other patients, seeing a psychiatrist is vital for their care. There is a void in mental healthcare everywhere, and it’s especially felt in rural areas. In some towns with smaller populations, the wait to see a psychiatrist can be months – if there even is a psychiatrist in the area. On some college campuses, the wait for an appointment with a counselor can be three weeks or more. In the case of someone suffering from substance abuse, addiction or compulsion, the need for psychiatric help is dire. This lack of professionals available to provide care leads to overall public health suffering.

So what can be done? Discussions about the importance of mental healthcare must continue, and young students entering medical school ought to be informed of this national shortage. Fortunately, developments in telemedicine have allowed telepsychiatry to begin providing services in areas with a tremendous need for them – but there is still much work to be done.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2015/09/15/psychiatrist-shortage-worsens-amid-mental-health-crisis/#1897534a48d3https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2015/09/15/psychiatrist-shortage-worsens-amid-mental-health-crisis/#1897534a48d3

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2015/09/15/psychiatrist-shortage-worsens-amid-mental-health-crisis/#1897534a48d3

https://www.healthecareers.com/article/healthcare-news/healthcare-psychiatrist-shortage

Studies Show Pets Are Good For Your Mental Health

We all love our pets, but what many of us don’t realize is how good they can be for our mental health.

Beyond just having the companionship of a dog, cat, or any other animal you chose, pets often encourage more social and positive behaviors in us. Just a few years ago, the American Psychological Association released a study that showed thinking about one’s pets is as beneficial as thinking about one’s friends.

Three experiments within the study provided profound results: People who have pets have better self-esteem, are more physically fit, are less lonely, are more conscientious and extroverted, and are less fearful and preoccupied than those who don’t have pets. According to the lead researcher Allen R. McConnel, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio, pet owners generally had better mental health than others.

Other data shows that not only does owning a pet increase overall well-being, but also the longevity of life. An Australian study consisting of 5,741 participants found the pet owners had lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol than non-pet-owners.

But wait, there’s more! This remained true even in cases where both groups had similar unhealthy lifestyles involving smoking and high-fat diets. We’re not encouraging taking up smoking or having a poor diet, but this just goes to show the benefits having a pet can bring you.

Another study shows that pets can also be helpful for people suffering from heart problems. An article published in the American Journal of Cardiology explained a study in which researchers kept track of more than 400 patients who suffered from a heart attack. More than one year after the patients were released, pet owners had a significantly higher survival rate than non-pet owners. The researchers who studied them guessed that the social support and bond that pets provide reduce their stress, which can be a major contributor to cardiovascular problems.

So if you were wondering whether or not you should get a pet, here’s a good reason to do so: The mental health benefits are better than you could imagine.