Massachusetts grapples with a severe mental health crisis, notably in youth, due to shortages in beds and staff.

Massachusetts faces a severe mental health crisis, especially among children and adolescents, with 45% of behavioral health patients being "boarded" and a 76.4% increase in boarding cases during the pandemic. Western Massachusetts has lost over 70 mental health beds, and staffing shortages exacerbate the issue. The state needs to promote behavioral health careers and provide more in-person staff in emergency rooms to address this crisis.

3 months ago
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