Opinion: Indiana Must Address Lack Of Behavioral Health Beds

The United States is in a behavioral health crisis, and Indiana is no exception. Millions of Americans struggle with mental illness and substance use disorders. Yet, too many lack access to the vital care necessary due to the extreme shortage of behavioral health beds. To remedy the situation and avoid further dire consequences, we must prioritize action to expand access to treatment, News From The States reports in an editorial. Like the grim picture seen nationally. Indiana only has 11.9 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people - far below the recommended 50 beds per 100,000 necessary for adequate care. This means thousands of Hoosiers with severe mental illnesses are left without access to proper treatment, and health care providers are at risk of being overrun. In Marion County alone, 26,000 adults required but did not receive treatment for severe mental health conditions. "The consequences of this shortage are devastating," New From The States wrote. "Individuals experiencing crisis who do not receive inpatient care often end up in emergency rooms where they can wait days or even weeks for a bed to open up. Others land in jails, where their conditions only worsen, or on the streets, where they struggle to survive without proper treatment."

The piece notes that, as those in need of mental health treatment have struggled to access care, there have also been increasing suicide rates. According to the CDC, suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and 25-34 in 2022. Overall, nationwide, suicide rates have climbed 36% since 2000. At a state level, the lack of treatment has a grave impact. A 2023 study in JAMA Network found that Indiana lost $4.2 billion due to the effects of untreated mental health conditions. This includes lost productivity, emergency care costs, and the burden on the criminal justice system. Given this picture, it seems unwise to make cuts to Medicaid, the largest payer for behavioral health services, the editorial contends. "More responsible government spending is a laudable goal, but lawmakers should be careful and thoughtful about any reductions that could exacerbate the lack of behavioral health care coverage. Indiana has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to take meaningful action. Expanding the number of behavioral health beds should be a top statewide priority."