The mental health provider shortage impacts people in communities throughout the U.S., with South Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico, Indiana, and Montana facing the most severe shortages.

It's an ongoing cycle: Provider shortages mean doctors and clinicians are in charge of expansive caseloads, which can lead to burnout and increased retirements. In New Mexico, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the state needs at least 61 mental health professionals to ease the burden—but low pay makes it difficult to recruit people from out of state.

Lawmakers have come together at the local and federal levels to remedy this.

The Biden administration has poured billions of dollars into increasing access to care, including grants to increase the pipeline of mental health professionals in high-need areas. States are also taking an active role by offering monetary incentives, including student loan reimbursement. Apprenticeship programs can also help stem some of the shortage in high-need areas. In Alabama, for example, students getting their master's degree in social work at the University of Alabama can get real-world experience while getting paid.

While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to remedying the mental health crisis, its impacts are being felt across the country. In 2020, Americans spent about $280.5 billion on mental health and substance abuse treatments, with about a quarter coming from Medicaid spending alone.

This story features data reporting by Elena Cox and Paxtyn Merten, writing by Elena Cox, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 47 states.