Yakima, Wash. — Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC) and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) held a behavioral health careers forum today, connecting students and community members with local professionals amid a growing provider shortage.
With one behavioral health worker for every 360 residents in Washington state — and an even lower ratio in Yakima County — the community urgently needs more behavioral health professionals, especially bilingual providers.
“Education has been offered in population centers where people are more likely to be fluent in English. If we want to grow providers in our communities, we have to bring education to them,” said Hope Baker, Student Assistance Program Manager at Educational Service District 105.
The event underscored the critical need for behavioral health workers in Yakima County, where qualified professionals are scarce. Attendees learned about recruitment efforts and available local career resources for those interested in entering the field.
The panel highlighted the vital demand for behavioral health services, particularly as nearly one in three adults in the state has experienced a substance use disorder or mental illness in the past year. This need is especially pronounced in rural areas like the Yakima Valley, where a shortage of staff can lead to ongoing mental health crises and strain the broader health system.
Additionally, individuals of color represent less than 20% of the behavioral health workforce, even though research shows that patients often have better health outcomes when treated by providers with similar cultural backgrounds. Narrowing this diversity gap can enhance mental health access in underrepresented communities.
To address these workforce challenges, ongoing public and private sector collaboration is essential. The HCA’s “Start Your Path” campaign aims to raise awareness about careers in behavioral health and provides resources in both English and Spanish at StartYourPath.org. The campaign highlights various career paths, regardless of educational background, and focuses on increasing representation in the field.
For more information about behavioral health careers and resources, visit StartYourPath.org.