NJAMHAA FY23 Advocacy Campaign

New Jersey Must Increase Support for Behavioral Health Partners in Care In every corner of New Jersey, at every level of care, mental health and substance use treatment and support programs are understaffed. While the Great Resignation and other impacts of the pandemic have affected all industries, the community-based behavioral health field was facing a workforce crisis before COVID and it is worsening. Vacancies remain open for months on end while offers to candidates are turned down due to low salary levels and non-competitive benefits. At the same time, difficulties with staff retention contribute to the crisis as the exodus for higher paying positions at managed care companies, education entities, private practices and government – and even positions in retail and other industries – continues. Programs report having staff vacancies in the double digits that they are unable to fill. And the demand for services continues to escalate. The behavioral health staffing needs for the coming decade, as reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), are staggering (see the chart below). Wait lists continue to grow. Outpatient and residential programs; adult, youth and children’s services; screening centers and housing supports – all are struggling to meet the increasing demand. Occupation Number in Workforce (Dec. 2020) Estimated Additional Workforce Needed Optimal Workforce Size to Provide Adequate Care Approximate Current Workforce vs Optimal Workforce Psychiatrists (General) 33,364 to 38,205 105,705 to 110,546 143,910 15% to 27% Addiction Psychiatrists 1,164 43,320 44,484 3% Child/Adol. Psychiatrists 8,181 to 9,204 48,293 to 49,316 57,497 14% to 16% Counselor (Beh. Hlth.) 283,540 1,436,228 1,719,768 16% Social Workers (Beh. Hlth.) or Case Workers 117,770 96,614 214,384 55% Prescribers (e.g., Physician Asst/Adv. Practice Nurse) 17,507 104,167 121,674 14% Peer Support Specialist 23,507 1,103,338 1,126,845 2% Behavioral Health Workforce Report, SAMHSA, Dec. 2020 5 H  