Mental health advocates are looking outside of training more psychiatrists for solutions to the shortage of mental health providers, according to The Wall Street Journal.
For instance, the American Psychiatric Association has become more accepting of physician members working more closely with nurse practitioners and physician assistants, according to the report.
Also, the report notes, Philadelphia's behavioral health services department has been trying to use various kinds of mental health providers, "including many who aren't medically educated and who are themselves users of mental health services."
Technology is even being used.
Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems told The Wall Street Journal that a device it developed may be used by providers to monitor patients with bipolar disorder and major depression.
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