RescUtah

There is a mental health care shortage in every county in Utah.

The Utah Medical Education Council reports that “Utah has a total of 5,026 mental health [full time equivalents (FTEs)] or 171 FTEs and 209 providers per 100,000 people. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 311 providers per 100,000 people.” ¹

“These provider shortages affect people’s ability to access appropriate care and a newly expanded Medicaid program coupled with a rapidly growing state population will intensify the effects of existing shortages.” ²

1 in 5 adults in Utah have a mental illness, but only half are treated.

Poor mental health among Utah adults has been increasing. For example, a study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Utah Hospital Association says the prevalence of mental illness grew from 15.8% in 2009 to 17.5% in 2017. Utah has too few mental health professionals and is far behind in keeping up with the need.³

Utah has the 6th highest suicide rate in the nation.

Last year, Utah’s suicide rate was the highest it has been in 8 years.⁴ The deficiency of mental health professionals is a major contributor to these deaths. For example, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Utah Hospital Association found that suicide is the leading cause of death for 10-24 year-olds.

Within that high-risk group, only about 40% of 12-17 year-olds with depression receive care. Going without treatment can clearly result in worsening mental health; ⁵ “15 percent of males and 28.5 percent of females age 15-17 seriously considered attempting suicide in 2015-2017.”⁶

In Utah, there are only 6 child psychiatrists for every 100,000 kids.

The ratio of child psychiatrists per 100,000 children in Utah is particularly low. Most [people] have no access to a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist unless they travel to a different county for services. The state-wide ratio is six adolescent psychiatrists per 100,000 children.⁷

Connecting this low ratio with Utah’s high prevalence of unmet mental health needs among children and increasing demand for youth services reveals a need for more youth-based mental health services, particularly as Utah’s population continues to grow.⁸

RescUtah is Stepping Up!

RescUtah is here to raise the sense of urgency about the shortage and to offer a platform to easily connect people looking for mental health jobs to mental health organizations in Utah. Organizations have access to post job openings and look at applicants’ profiles, and individuals have an easy way to post their resume and search for jobs.

We are streamlining mental health employment connections to ultimately help make mental health care readily available to all Utahns.

Join RescUtah’s mission today by making a profile or sharing what you’ve learned to advocate for better mental health care in Utah.