Psychiatrist shortage causing risk of jail and suicide in Pennsylvania

Depression is on the rise. So is suicide, particularly among young people and military veterans. And Pennsylvania recently concluded that addressing mental health needs is the best defense against school shootings, The Patriot‐News reported Sept. 9. Yet, because of a shortage of psychiatrists, people commonly wait six months for an appointment in central Pennsylvania. When people experiencing mental illness have to wait to be diagnosed, or begin medication or have it adjusted, it can disrupt their ability to work, attend school or care for their family, says Erika Saunders, M.D., chair of psychiatry at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Worse, it can put them at high risk of having to be hospitalized, ending up in jail or committing suicide, she said. Videoconferencing is being used to extend the reach of psychiatrists, enabling them to consult with doctors and patients in remote locations. According to Saunders, another promising idea involves a team‐based approach. The team is centered at the family medical practice and includes one or more mental health specialists who aren't psychiatrists to provide therapy and follow up with patients. A psychiatrist would consult with other team members regarding care of patients but only see patients with the most intense needs.