The Distribution of the Youth Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural and Urban America in 2025
Abstract
Children and youth living in rural areas face unique barriers to accessing mental health care, including shortages of child and youth behavioral health specialists. The objective of this project was to examine the distribution of the child and youth behavioral health workforce across rural and urban areas of the U.S.
Authors:
Graves JM, Woolcock SC, Garberson LA, Andrilla CHA
Journal/Publisher:
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington
Edition:
Apr 2026.
Documents:
Citation:
Graves JM, Woolcock SC, Garberson LA, Andrilla CHA. The Distribution of the Youth Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural and Urban America in 2025. Policy Brief. WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington; April 2026.
Related Studies:
Access to and Provision of Child and Youth Behavioral Health Services in the Rural and Urban U.S.