Summary

To address the mental health and substance use treatment workforce shortage and increase the number and diversity of licensed clinicians, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with funding from Kaiser Permanente, has launched the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative (NMHWAC) program. 

The NMHWAC program aims to increase the number of qualified licensed mental health and substance use treatment clinicians, while increasing anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) considerations in patient-facing mental health and substance use treatment positions. The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa launched the Hawaiʻi Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program in April 2024.

Background

Over 50 million Americans are experiencing a mental illness, but there is only one mental health provider for every 350 individuals in the U.S. This shortage of providers has contributed to nearly 55% of adults with mental illness receiving no treatment. 1 An important component of the workforce shortage is that 57% of people who earn master’s degrees in mental health face financial, time and regulatory barriers to clinical licensure that force them to abandon licensure.

To address the mental health and substance use treatment workforce shortage and to increase the number and diversity of licensed clinicians available to serve clients, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing launched the NMHWAC program through grant funding provided by Kaiser Permanente. 

Goals

1. Increase the percentage of master’s degree graduates who become licensed in target states.

2. Increase the number of clients served by partially qualified pre- and post-master’s associates.

3. Increase the diversity (in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language, and culture) of fully licensed master’s-level mental health professionals in participating states.

4. Improve Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) health professional shortage area scores in identified communities.