A shortage of psychiatrists and mental health services has created a crisis in the U.S. that sends many patients to the emergency room as a last resort.
An expert panel this week released a new report (PDF) that looks at the problem and recommends changes to rectify the shortage of psychiatrists and lack of mental health care. Training, funding and models of care need to be addressed, according to the report released by the National Council Medical Director Institute, which advises the National Council for Behavioral Health on issues related to clinical practice.
