State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-1st-Hampshire) said she supports increasing the number of psychiatric beds and expanding access to inpatient mental health care in Massachusetts.
Her comments come after Bay State News reported the Commonwealth ranked 29th among 50 states plus the District of Columbia for the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 people.
“Yes, I believe Massachusetts should invest in expanding access to inpatient mental health care,” Sabadosa told West Massachusetts News. “Mental health is as important as physical health, and access to adequate care is essential for the well-being of our communities.”
“To address this, the state should increase funding for mental health services, improve reimbursement rates for mental health providers, and prioritize building and expanding psychiatric care facilities, especially in underserved areas,” said Sabadosa. “In terms of specific policies, I support increasing the number of psychiatric beds in both public and private facilities, as well as streamlining the licensing process for new mental health care facilities.”
She also said she supports additional investments in training programs of mental health professionals.
“Additionally, funding should be allocated to enhance crisis stabilization units and ensure that patients are placed in the appropriate care setting, reducing emergency room overcrowding,” said Sabadosa.
A report released by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) found that, “in 2023, Massachusetts had 9.5 psychiatric beds per 100,000 population.”
That number is well below the 40 to 60 beds per 100,000 that TAC said is the “recommended minimum” for states.
The TAC report said psychiatric bed availability has been consistently declining since the 1950s.
“In 1955, the country had 340 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people. By 2016, that number had fallen to 11.7 per 100,000, leaving many individuals with severe mental illness without adequate inpatient care options,” said the report.
Founded in 1998, the TAC is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., that focuses on mental health policy and research related to serious mental illness.
A report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum found that Massachusetts has 2,761 licensed psychiatric inpatient beds, serving approximately 74,000 psychiatric inpatient admissions per year. Despite these numbers, the state’s bed-to-population ratio remains insufficient to meet service demands.
Additionally, a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that in 2019, Massachusetts had a state hospital utilization rate of 0.29 per 1,000 population—lower than the national average of 0.41 per 1,000. This suggests that even with a relatively high number of psychiatric beds compared to some other states, Massachusetts still faces challenges in meeting the inpatient mental health care needs of its residents.
The shortage of psychiatric beds contributes to long wait times for mental health treatment, increased reliance on emergency departments for psychiatric crises, and difficulties in ensuring timely care for individuals with severe mental illness.
“To families struggling with psychiatric care access, I want them to know that their concerns are valid, and the state is aware of the challenges they face,” said Sabadosa. “Expanding psychiatric beds and improving mental health services are top priorities, and we are actively working on policies to ensure that people get the care they need when they need it.”
“No one should have to wait for critical mental health care, and we are committed to making meaningful changes to the system,” Sabados said.
Sabadosa has represented the 1st Hampshire District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since January 2, 2019, becoming the first woman to hold this seat. Her district includes Northampton, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Hatfield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington. Sabadosa holds degrees from Wellesley College, the University of Edinburgh, and Northeastern University. Before her election, she founded a translation firm specializing in legal and financial translation.
Where does Massachusetts rank in psychiatric beds per 100,000 people?
