Rhitu Chatterjee

Author's posts

Psychologists say they can’t meet the growing demand for mental health care

More than half say they’re not taking new patients, in a new survey. They report their existing patients need more attention for complex problems, and many keep months-long waitlists.

Encore: Examining how effective the national mental health helpline has been

It’s been six months since the launch of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We check in on how many people are using it and whether it’s connecting them to help.

The new 988 crisis number is about to launch. Here’s what to know

Mental health advocates hope the new hotline will make it much easier to get support if you’re in crisis or helping someone who is. Here’s how it works and what could stand in its way.

A nurse’s death raises the alarm about the profession’s mental health crisis

After nearly two years of grueling shifts treating COVID patients, a group of nurses lost one of their closest friends to suicide. They’re determined not to let others fall through the cracks.

The pandemic pummeled long-term care – it may not recover quickly, experts warn

Hundreds of thousands of nursing home workers have quit since the pandemic began, and the ones still working suffer from burnout. Industry leaders worry the system is fracturing.

State by state, here’s how well schools are doing at supporting kids’ mental health

Two years of disrupted schooling and limited social contact have been tough on kids. A new report calls out states that do a good job supporting kids’ mental health at school — and those that don’t.

There’s a critical shortage of nursing home staff

With the omicron variant causing a surge of COVID-19 infections in assisted living facilities, more staff are having to stay at home, making the jobs of those still working a lot harder.

The nursing home staffing crisis right now is like nothing we’ve seen before

COVID cases and deaths are rising again in nursing homes across the country due to the highly contagious omicron variant. Staffing shortages are adding to strain and workers report “moral distress.”

People Are More Interested In Mental Health Help Now — But Can’t Get What They Need

A new survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness finds that the pandemic has made people more open to seeking help for their mental health, but cost and quality of care are obstacles for many.

More Americans Are Reaching Out For Mental Health Support — But Can’t Get It

The pandemic has made people more open to seeking help, a new survey finds, but cost and difficulty in finding a mental health care provider are still big obstacles.