Burnout and need for better benefits, pay, and/or family time are adversely affecting workers' plans for the future.
More than two-thirds (64%) of California's behavioral health workforce is comprised of women, most of whom have a bachelor's degree or higher and a decade or more in the field, a new analysis from the Department of Health Care Services shows.
More than 1,600 members of the workforce responded to the Fall 2021 California Behavioral Health Workforce Assessment survey, which collected information about respondents' demographics, educational and professional backgrounds, employment, communities served and use of telehealth services.
The survey also included questions related to peer support services and providers in the context of California’s current initiative to establish Peer Specialist as a provider type under DMC-ODS and SMHS programs.
The survey found that:
- 64% of behavioral health workers are cisgender women.
- 32% of respondents are Hispanic or Latino.
- 76% of respondents have a college or graduate degree, and 42% of respondents have been in behavioral health for more than 10 years.
- 35% of respondents identify as a family or caregiver of a person with behavioral health needs, and 32% have experienced a personal mental health challenge.
- Burnout and need for better benefits, pay, and/or family time are adversely affecting workers' plans for the future.
The survey assessment offers seven recommendations to support, strengthen, and expand California's behavioral health workforce:
- Support data-driven decision-making and policy by collecting nuanced behavioral health workforce data.
- Create, expand and strengthen career pathways for racially, ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse behavioral health providers.
- Increase pay and benefits for the behavioral health workforce. Address disparities between peer and non-peer staff.
- Address provider burnout and compassion fatigue. Support parents and caregivers.
- Prioritize supports for unserved, underserved and inappropriately served communities. Invest in equity-driven strategies and wraparound supports
- Provide additional training and technical assistance to expand telehealth.
- Invest in training initiatives and programs that support integration of peers. Include and promote peer voice and leadership.
John Commins is the news editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
64% of behavioral health workers are cisgender women.
32% of respondents are Hispanic or Latino.
76% of respondents have a college or graduate degree, and 42% of respondents have been in behavioral health for more than 10 years.
35% of respondents identify as a family or caregiver of a person with behavioral health needs, and 32% have experienced a personal mental health challenge.