Mental Health Awareness Starts With Preparing Future Providers

By Dr. Gilda F. Rodriguez, Albizu University

For many years, our country has faced a shortage of behavioral health professionals creating significant challenges for individuals and families seeking timely mental health care. According to the Bureau of Health Workforce’s State of the Behavioral Health Workforce 2025 report, approximately 137 million Americans, or 40% of the population live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers, with wait times for care often lasting weeks and many psychologists and psychiatrists unable to accept new patients.

As we observe National Depression Month, Mental Health Screening Month, Mental Health Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day in October, it is important to recognize not only the impact of mental health conditions on individuals and communities, but also the workforce challenges that affect access to care. Because mental health systems cannot provide timely, high-quality care without an adequate and well-supported workforce, addressing provider shortages must be part of the conversation.

Choosing a career is one of the most consequential decisions anyone can make, particularly for young adults considering where their education can lead. As an educator and program director, one of my responsibilities is not only preparing students for careers in psychology and behavioral health but also helping them understand the meaningful and sustainable opportunities available to them.

Many students who pursue psychology may initially imagine themselves working as a “therapist,” but professional mental health care is far more complex. The field requires highly trained professionals who can address complex emotional, behavioral, developmental, and social challenges across diverse populations. It can be challenging, demanding and emotionally difficult. For those prepared to do the work, however, it can also be profoundly meaningful, highly rewarding, and professional fulfilling

Today, behavioral health professionals serve a wide range of settings. A career in psychology does not necessarily mean sitting across from a patient in an office. The field has evolved considerably, creating opportunities for professionals with different levels of education, training and certification. Effective behavioral healthcare increasingly depends on interdisciplinary teams that integrate mental health services in community settings, lead support groups, collaborate with educators and school counselors, serve patients in hospitals, contribute to forensic proceedings or work with law enforcement, corrections and juvenile mobile crisis teams.

The field also offers opportunities for specialization that many students may not initially consider. With the right education and credentials, professionals can apply their knowledge to diverse populations and settings. One of our graduates, for example, initially aspired to become a neuropsychologist but ultimately found her calling helping mothers of premature infants develop strong bonds with their babies after spending time in a neonatal intensive care unit. An area where psychological support can have lasting benefits for both parents and child.

Emerging technologies are also reshaping the delivery and access of behavioral healthcare. Telebehavioral health services have reduced the barriers of access services due to different socioeconomic limitations or even scheduling challenges. The Bureau of Health Workforce identifies telebehavioral health as a promising strategy for addressing provider shortages and improving access of services, particularly in underserved communities. It can provide greater scheduling flexibility and help reduce waiting lists. It can also support continuity of care when patients move or change jobs.

For students considering a career in psychology or behavioral health, the profession offers a unique opportunity to combine scientific knowledge with compassionate service. Every patient brings a different history, perspective, and set of circumstances, making the work both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful. Success in the field requires cultural humility, empathy, passion, and a genuine commitment to understanding the complexities of human experience.

At a time when communities need accessible, compassionate behavioral health services, encouraging talented and committed graduate students to consider these professions is about more than filling jobs. It is about preparing the next generation of health service psychology to deliver accessible, evidence-based, and compassionate care. By investing in education, supporting the behavioral health workforce, and expanding pathways into these critical professions, we can make a meaningful difference ensuring that individuals and families receive care they need.

Dr. Gilda F. Rodriguez is the Director of the Psy.D. Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at Albizu University’s Miami Campus and co-founder of the Center for Trauma, Stress, and Health (CTSH).