The reason for the waiting list is complex. The stigma on mental illness is lifting. People are experiencing a lot of uncertainty right now. There is the issue of COVID. Even though the United States and the World Health Organization have officially declared the pandemic is over, the trauma from COVID is a lasting force. That is especially true for those who lost loved ones to the illness or are in the grips of what is called long COVID, dealing with long-term health problems.
To highlight the issue, last year we saw 5,986 patients, through just over 35,000 visits. These numbers include our crisis intervention program visits, which is anyone who has an emergency need or called our crisis intervention team. If we are better able to meet the need for mental health services, we will help more people lead productive lives, which then will translate into a healthier society.