How Serious Is the Psychiatrist Shortage?
According to the study, the United States had about 37,260 full-time-equivalent adult psychiatrists in 2024. By 2037, that number is projected to decrease to approximately 32,660 psychiatrists.
That represents a decline of about 12%.
At the same time, the demand for psychiatric care is expected to increase by nearly 44%.
This creates a major challenge for the U.S. healthcare system. There will be fewer psychiatrists available at a time when more people are expected to need mental health services.
Key projections
37,260
adult psychiatrists in 2024
12%
projected workforce decline
44%
projected increase in demand
The Mental Health Care Gap Could Grow
In 2024, the existing psychiatrist workforce was estimated to meet about 70% of the country’s need.
By 2037, the study projects that psychiatrists may meet only about 43% of the need.
Put simply, the United States could have less than half of the psychiatrists needed to provide adequate adult psychiatric care.
This could lead to longer wait times, fewer available appointments, and greater difficulty accessing treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.
Rural Areas Face an Even Greater Shortage
The psychiatrist shortage is especially serious in rural communities.
People living in rural areas often have fewer healthcare providers nearby, making it more difficult to receive specialized mental health treatment.
In 2024, the psychiatrist workforce in rural areas was estimated to meet only about one-third of the need. By 2037, that number could fall to approximately 21%.
Telehealth may become increasingly important for people who live in rural or underserved communities because it can allow patients to meet with mental health providers without traveling long distances.
Why Is There a Shortage of Psychiatrists?
Not Enough Psychiatrists Are Being Trained
The United States needs more psychiatry residency positions to train enough new doctors to meet future demand.
Although interest in psychiatry has increased among medical students, the number of training opportunities has not grown enough to completely close the gap.
Many Psychiatrists Are Approaching Retirement
A significant number of practicing psychiatrists are nearing retirement age.
As experienced psychiatrists leave the workforce, there may not be enough younger psychiatrists entering the profession to replace them.
Access to Care Is Already Limited
Even when psychiatrists are available in a community, finding an appointment can be difficult.
Insurance coverage, provider availability, location, and long wait times can all make it harder for patients to receive mental health treatment.
Can Telepsychiatry Help?
Telepsychiatry could become an important part of the solution.
Telepsychiatry allows patients to meet with a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health provider through secure video appointments.
This approach can make it easier for people to receive care when there are not enough psychiatric providers in their local area.
Telehealth may be particularly valuable in rural communities, where access to psychiatrists is often limited.
Can Other Mental Health Providers Help?
Another potential solution is expanding the role of other qualified healthcare professionals.
Depending on state laws, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other mental health professionals may be able to provide certain types of psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and medication management.
Using a team-based approach can allow healthcare organizations to care for more patients while reserving psychiatrists for patients who require a higher level of specialized care.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
The growing psychiatrist shortage could mean that finding a mental health provider becomes more difficult in the future.
Patients may experience:
- Longer wait times for psychiatric appointments
- Fewer psychiatrists accepting new patients
- Limited access to psychiatric care in rural areas
- Greater demand for telepsychiatry
- Increased use of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other qualified providers
- Greater demand for integrated mental health services
For patients who need mental health care, finding an available provider early may become increasingly important.
What Can Be Done About the Psychiatrist Shortage?
Addressing the psychiatrist shortage will likely require several solutions working together.
Possible strategies include:
- Increasing psychiatry residency positions
- Providing incentives for psychiatrists to practice in underserved areas
- Expanding telepsychiatry
- Increasing the use of qualified psychiatric nurse practitioners and other mental health professionals
- Improving insurance access for mental health services
- Developing more team-based models of psychiatric care
- Using technology to improve access and follow-up care
No single solution is likely to solve the problem. The healthcare system will need to find new and more efficient ways to provide high-quality mental health care to a growing number of patients.
The Bottom Line
The psychiatrist shortage in the United States is a growing healthcare problem.
The number of adult psychiatrists is projected to decline by about 12% by 2037, while the need for psychiatric care could increase by nearly 44%.
The shortage could be especially severe in rural and underserved communities.
Expanding psychiatric training programs, increasing access to telepsychiatry, and building stronger mental health care teams could help address the growing demand.
The message is clear: America is expected to need significantly more mental health care at the same time that fewer psychiatrists may be available to provide it.
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