"A recent report from the University of California, San Francisco examines the gaps in the county's Behavioral Health and Services Department. It shows that between February 2024 and February 2025, 28% of behavioral health workers employed by the department and contracted agencies are no longer working for the county. The reports points out that patients are struggling to get appointments due to a shortage of psychiatrists."
"The report recommends the department focus on recruitment and retention, in addition to partnering with educational institutions to improve opportunities in mental health education. At the Nov. 4 Board of Supervisors meeting, District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg directed staff to come back in September 2026 and provide responses to all recommendations from the report. "I believe prioritizing culturally competent providers stands out as essential," Ellenberg, who led the effort in directing county workers to tackle the mental health crisis, told San José Spotlight."
Between February 2024 and February 2025, 28% of behavioral health workers employed by the department and contracted agencies left county employment. Patients are struggling to get appointments because of a shortage of psychiatrists. Many workers report burnout driven by staffing shortages. There are about 12,000 behavioral health workers countywide and 1,400 within the department's service network, with an overall adequate number of providers but too few psychiatrists. Recommendations call for strengthened recruitment and retention and partnerships with educational institutions to expand mental health education. District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg directed staff to respond to all recommendations by September 2026.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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