More than 113,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) live in 492 counties that lack mental health providers, according to a new report from GoodRx Research.
Over 90% of these areas are in rural parts of the U.S., where healthcare resources are already limited, the report stated.
“In fact, there are fewer than one psychiatrist or psychologist for every 30,000 people living in these counties,” said Amanda Nguyen, a health economist at GoodRx Research.
Nguyen said mental health access is lacking in the South Central, Midwest, and Alaska regions of the U.S.: These regions have the highest number of mental health care deserts, including Texas (30 mental health desert counties), Kansas (13), Oklahoma (8), Nebraska (8), and Alaska (7) have some of the highest numbers of mental health deserts. In addition to Alaska (11,171), South Dakota (14,650) has one of the highest numbers of AI/AN residents living in mental health deserts.
“It’s important to note our analysis focused on psychiatrists and psychologists, due to their ability to diagnose and prescribe medication for mental health disorders,” she added. “It did not take into consideration the important mental health care and support that therapists, social workers, primary care physicians, and traditional healers may also provide to these communities.”
The report also found that poor broadband access limits access to telehealth services, which could help with mental health resources.
Read more at DailyYonder.com.
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