Maryland Matters reports that a state-commissioned analysis found Maryland needs a much larger behavioral health workforce to meet current and growing demand.
Workforce gap outlined in state-commissioned report
Maryland Matters reported on findings from Investing in Maryland’s Behavioral Health Talent, a report commissioned by the Maryland Health Care Commission and presented to the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Board. According to Maryland Matters, the report found that Maryland would need to increase its behavioral health workforce by about 50% to meet current demand.
The report characterized the shortage as a significant problem that could worsen in coming years without intervention, Maryland Matters reported. It examined the number of people working across behavioral health roles and the additional workforce needed as demand for care grows.
Current need and projected demand
Maryland had 34,613 people working in various behavioral health roles in 2023, according to the report cited by Maryland Matters. That total was 18,222 workers below the number the report found was needed at that time.
Maryland Matters also reported that the analysis projected a need for another 14,565 behavioral health workers by 2028, beyond the existing shortage, to meet growing demand for behavioral health care. Together, the current gap and projected need illustrate the scale of the workforce challenge described in the report.
Effects on treatment capacity
Shannon Hall, executive director of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, told Maryland Matters that vacancies directly reduce the capacity to provide treatment. The article reported that staffing shortages can contribute to waitlists, vacant treatment beds when minimum staffing requirements cannot be met, and a broader backlog across the behavioral health system.
Nicole McCann, chair of the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Board, said officials had been aware of the workforce issue for some time, Maryland Matters reported. She said the report helps clarify potential actions that could address it.
Funding and recruitment efforts
Maryland Matters attributed the shortage to historical underinvestment in the state’s behavioral health system alongside increasing rates of mental illness and substance use. The article noted that the underlying report followed 2023 legislation, SB 283/HB 418.
According to Maryland Matters, that legislation created a fund to reimburse local governments or health departments for costs associated with educating, training and recruiting behavioral health workers. The stated purpose was to help address the workforce shortage.
What this means for Maryland patients
Workforce shortages may affect how easily people can find behavioral health treatment locally. The directory lists 100 published clinics in Maryland and can help people identify available treatment locations.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Maryland reporting on workforce.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.