The Pacific Southwest region is experiencing a huge rise in need for mental health services in our communities and schools, and at the same time, experiencing a large attrition rate of providers—an ongoing situation that predated the pandemic but has been exacerbated by its effects. Beginning with the premise that issues of recruitment and attrition can be better framed as a shortcoming of systems, rather than a staffing shortage, in August of 2022, our Center convened behavioral health professionals and leaders to address strategies for cultivating a healthy and sustainable mental health and school mental health workforce. Highlights from the panelists and group discussion, along with resources shared, are presented in this document.
