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Based on 2023 data, Oklahoma ranks 12 (of 50) on the ratio of providers to residents. Massachusetts reports the highest density at 758.7 per 100,000 residents while Alabama reports 140.
The number of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care per 100,000 population in 2018. Displayed by providers per 100,000 residents.
Source: America’s Health Rankings
The accessibility of healthcare professionals specializing in treating and addressing our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This is measured as the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health care per 100,000 population in 2023 (American Health Ranking).
Women are more likely to access mental healthcare. However, healthcare needs are not zero-sum. Societal pressures and stigma also play a role in discouraging women from seeking support.
These pressures can be rooted further within distinct cultural or societal communities. Racial minorities are more likely to avoid seeking mental health care because of perceptions and fear, racism and discrimination, cultural differences, and language barriers. LGBTQ+ individuals face unique obstacles as well. Despite indications that LGBTQ+ people often have increased need for mental healthcare than the general population, the community’s access is limited due to fear stemming from family, social circles, and encountering unaccepting providers.
Primary care physicians can manage mental illness at the primary care level in up to 60% of cases. However, they aren’t trained to do this and would often benefit from the ability to consult with mental health clinicians.
As with all Oklahomans, women’s access to mental health care is substantially impacted by distance to providers and the ability to pay. Clinician density in Oklahoma follows the same pattern across all fields, including mental health; the vast majority are in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. Rural areas face the most barriers to care (See Access to Care in Rural Areas). While access has rapidly expanded in recent years with the explosion in telehealth, location and cost barriers persist. Video calls require a strong and stable internet connection, and insurance does not always cover telehealth options.
While qualifying postpartum women can now access and remain on Medicaid (called SoonerCare in Oklahoma) for one year after giving birth, the time limit places an expiration date on when their healthcare coverage will cease. At the end of that time, women experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety will lose their insurer.
Oklahoma’s stats on mental health care access are inflated by the number of counselors and therapists. We have critical shortages of providers with prescription capabilities (such as psychiatrists and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners) as well as those with the most education – psychologists.
Additionally, experts warn that these estimates can be misleading. Density reports as featured here are calculated using directories provided by private and public insurers and, in some instances, online directories. Many states do not require provider repositories to be updated regularly to reflect accurate provider information. The term “ghost networks” was coined to describe the phenomenon of provider networks riddled with clinicians who were retired, changed employers, changed accepted insurance, stopped practicing, or even were deceased.
This issue brief was written by Metriarch staff as part of our Data Lookbook. Peer review and contributions provided by Whitney Cipolla with Healthy Minds Policy Initiative.
Suggested citation
Metriarch. “Access to Quality Care,” Data Lookbook (2024). URL: metriarchok.org/access-to-mental-health-services.
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