Tennessee is behind on mental health care access, coinciding with an increase in mental distress for adults, a new study shows.
Higher prices for inpatient and outpatient care are causing problems for Tennesseans as they seek to heal, according to a Mental Health America report.
“With a 7.61% increase, Tennessee ranks among the states with the largest spikes in this distressing trend, trailing only Nevada and Kentucky,” the report said. Nevada and Kentucky were worse.
Nationally, the price for mental health care services increased by 14% between 2017 and 2021, with the largest increase occurring in inpatient services. The research factors in substance abuse disorders, serious suicidal thoughts, major depressive episodes and private insurance not covering mental or emotional problems, among other factors.
In the United States, there is one mental health provider for every 340 people. In Tennessee, that number is one for every 560 people according to the Mental Health America report.
As East Tennessee awaits the possibility of a new state-run mental health facility, private companies are working to fill the void.
The Family Care Center has expanded its operations in Knoxville with a new outpatient mental health clinic on Dowell Springs Boulevard. The clinic emphasizes outpatient mental health care services for individuals, families and veterans.
“Family Care Center distinguishes itself as a predominantly in-person outpatient clinic, offering an alternative to the growing trend of telehealth-only services,” said Dr. Charles Weber, Family Care Center’s co-founder and chief medical officer.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country as a whole has experienced spikes in isolation, anxiety and depression, according to the McNabb Center and Family Care Center.
With kids, increased use of social media is causing a lot of worries for parents.
“I think that coupled with kids, social media was becoming such a focus for them, which at times does not have a positive message. Including the stigma behind mental health, it is not a surprise that what we are seeing now is a response to all that,” said McNabb Clinical Vice President Leann Human-Hilliard.
Tennessee ranks high in various mental health issues such as distress and access to care
Tennessee is the 10th highest state for having a prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care overall, according to the Mental Health America report.
Tennessee is ranked the ninth worst for access to care, which factors in insurance, access to treatment, quality and cost of insurance, access to special education and mental health workforce availability, according to the report.
“Knoxville is on trend with other regions throughout Tennessee,” Family Care Center Regional Director David Wood said. “Through our relationships with local primary care, internal medicine and pediatric physician groups, schools and universities, and civil services, we have seen the difficulty these individuals and organizations experience when trying to find access and placement into mental health care.”
Why does Tennessee have a shortage in mental health care?
The increase in awareness about mental health care has driven up demand. So have national challenges like the pandemic and economic worries.
“One of the most significant factors is the increasing demand for mental health services, which has surged due to heightened awareness of mental health issues, particularly since the pandemic. Additionally, mental health providers undergo extensive training, including years of education, fellowships and licensing requirements.” Weber said.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988 and press 0 to speak with a counselor or visit 988lifeline.org to chat. The Statewide Crisis Line is 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471).
