“About half of people in the U.S. live in an area without a mental-health professional, federal data show, and some 8,500 more would be needed to fill the gap”

“About half of people in the U.S. live in an area without a mental-health professional, federal data show, and some 8,500 more would be needed to fill the gap” The psychologists or psychiatrists that are accepting new patients have a 3-6 month wait for first appointment. 6-14 years of college/post doc/degree to become a psychologist depending on type and state. 12-16 years to become a psychiatrist and prescribe medications.