Statewide, Iowa – Mental health experts say Iowa is facing a critical shortage of providers, especially during the stressful holiday season, though some patients are turning to telehealth for care. Tarrah Holliday, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, treats up to 30 patients daily at Zion Integrated Medical Services in Atlantic. Holliday says there are only about 300 psychiatry providers statewide.
As a solution, Holliday says 75 percent of her clients are turning to telehealth, and some even live three hours away.
The ISU Extension reports Iowa is 45th in the nation for mental health care providers per capita.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 60 percent of Iowa communities experience a shortage of mental health care. To be considered a Health Professional Shortage Area the population-to-provider ratio must be at least 30,000-to-one.
