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Kerri Miller

The 'silent shortage' of mental health workers

An estimated shortage of mental health care providers
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the shortage of mental health care providers will increase through 2025.
William Lager | MPR News

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If you've had to wait weeks, even months, to see a psychiatrist you're not alone. Minnesota is part of a national trend in a shortage of mental health counselors at a time when roughly one in five Americans will experience a mental health problem as an adult.

The shortage is most acute if you are looking for help in rural America or if you're hoping to see a counselor of color.

How did we get here? And what are the consequences of such an urgent shortage?

MPR News Host Kerri Miller spoke with two guests:

• Dr. Joseph Bianco practices family medicine in Ely with Essentia Health

• Dr. Katharine "Kaz" Nelson is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota