Understanding the Issues

There has been an increase in mental health issues and in 2021, more than 1 in 5 students seriously considered attempting suicide. In the same year, fewer than half of those with mental illness accessed timely care. Access was even less likely for those with increased barriers and substance use disorders.

 

There is currently a critical shortage of mental health providers in Virginia, and it is predicted that the shortage will continue to widen without intervention. In a ranking of mental health access across all states, Virginia ranked 37th last year.

​

The shortage of providers has become more complex than just a spike in need coming out of the pandemic and worsening mental health across all age groups. Funding for mental health services, including insurance reimbursement, has not had a comparable rise, which has had a myriad of effects including higher caseloads. Many have left the high-demand world for private practice, where they can charge rates that better match the demand and their level of education and skill. An increasing number are no longer taking insurance due to the low reimbursement rates.

​

All of these issues affect equitable access to mental healthcare in our state. Fewer providers leaves the overall need unmet, and lack of funding requires clinicians to find alternative routes to equitable pay, meaning populations who experience barriers are going to continue to struggle to find care.

​

This legislative session, the Behavioral Health Parity Coalition is advocating for change in a number of ways to increase Virginia's trajectory toward equitable access to mental healthcare.

​