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O'Connell WP, Renn BN, Areán PA, Raue PJ, Ratzliff A. Behavioral Health Workforce Development in Washington State: Addition of a Behavioral Health Support Specialist. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:1042-1044. [PMID: 38616648 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The mental and behavioral health workforce shortage has hindered access to care in the United States, resulting in long waitlists for persons who need behavioral health care. Global models for task sharing, combined with U.S.-led studies of nonspecialists delivering interventions for depression and anxiety, support the development of this workforce in a stepped care system. This Open Forum highlights an innovative effort in Washington State to initiate a bachelor's-level behavioral health support specialist curriculum leading to credentialing to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to care for people with depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P O'Connell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (O'Connell, Raue, Ratzliff); Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Renn); Division of Services and Interventions Research, NIMH, Bethesda (Areán)
| | - Brenna N Renn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (O'Connell, Raue, Ratzliff); Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Renn); Division of Services and Interventions Research, NIMH, Bethesda (Areán)
| | - Patricia A Areán
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (O'Connell, Raue, Ratzliff); Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Renn); Division of Services and Interventions Research, NIMH, Bethesda (Areán)
| | - Patrick J Raue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (O'Connell, Raue, Ratzliff); Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Renn); Division of Services and Interventions Research, NIMH, Bethesda (Areán)
| | - Anna Ratzliff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle (O'Connell, Raue, Ratzliff); Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas (Renn); Division of Services and Interventions Research, NIMH, Bethesda (Areán)
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