On September 27, the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy hosted a forum, Strengthening America’s Mental Health Workforce, at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Total Health in Washington, D.C. The event brought together leaders from across sectors to discuss challenges facing the mental health workforce and elevate effective solutions.

By Lisel Blash, MPA

After losing his job in the corporate sector, Josh was homeless and in and out of jail for several years. “Until I had my diagnosis; I thought everyone heard voices,” he said. The realization that he had a mental illness made Josh take action. After seeking treatment, he volunteered for homeless shelters and soup kitchens because he “wanted to give back.”

Healthforce Center’s latest report analyzes and projects future needs related to California’s behavioral health workforce and forecasts a shortage of qualified and diverse behavioral health professionals in California within 10 years.

A new NPR story about peer support for people with mental illness in Texas, features Joanne Spetz, Healthforce Center's associate director of research.