Do you think there is a lack of access to mental health care?

Nearly half of the 60 million adults and children living with mental health conditions in the United States go without any treatment. People who seek treatment must navigate a fragmented and costly system full of obstacles. As a result, many people cannot access mental health care when they need it most.

Mental health and substance use treatment centers and clinics, for instance, tend to be concentrated in urban areas. Rural parts of the country tend to lack access to more specialized treatment options — similar to the barriers that exist in traditional physical medicine.

In fact, more than 112 million Americans live in areas where mental health providers are scarce. States like Missouri, Arizona, South Dakota, Montana and Washington are among those with low rates when it comes to meeting the mental health needs of residents. On a national level, research shows that the U.S. is likely to continue to experience a shortage of mental health professionals through 2025.