Mental Health in 2025: A Growing Need, A Shrinking Workforce

Across the country, millions are seeking mental health care, but an alarming shortage of providers is making it harder than ever to meet this growing need. Currently the United States is short more than 30,000 mental health workers, leaving millions Americans with insufficient access to care. For those who can get an appointment, waits can exceed 12 weeks, and in rural communities, the situation is worse. At the same time, mental health professionals are facing burnout at unprecedented levels, with many leaving the field.

These challenges have created a perfect storm for mental health care in America, as the demand for services continues to rise, the number of qualified providers continues to shrink.

At Anew Day, we’re directly addressing this storm. We operate our own training center, where we train the next generation of counselors and therapists to help address the shortage. Our training center educates and mentors Trainees (graduate students working toward their master’s degrees and earning supervised hours), Associates (clinicians who have completed their degrees and are accruing 3,000 hours required for licensure), and the bedrock of our organization, our Lay Counselors (community volunteers who receive extensive training). By training future professionals and dedicated volunteers, we’re not only addressing the shortage, but we’re also building a sustainable, community-driven workforce to provide care.

But it doesn’t stop there. At Anew Day, our model thrives through community support. Volunteers, donors, and countless other contributors all come together with our staff and fully licensed practitioners to care for our community. Our doors are open to all, regardless of background, beliefs, or ability to pay. As we at Anew Day have been unconditionally loved by God, we are called to love others “…just as Christ loved us…” (Ephesians 5:2).

We believe in the power of grassroots models to make a real difference, especially when traditional systems are stretched thin. WE INVITE YOU to join us in this important work. Whether through donations, offering your time, or simply spreading the word, your support helps ensure that those in need of mental health care can find the services they deserve.

Together, we can create lasting change in this time of increasing mental health needs and decreasing practitioners so that everyone can access the support they need.

How To Support Anew Day