Santa Clara County is struggling to retain its behavioral health workforce.
A recent report from the University of California, San Francisco examines the gaps in the county’s Behavioral Health and Services Department. It shows that between February 2024 and February 2025, 28% of behavioral health workers employed by the department and contracted agencies are no longer working for the county. The reports points out that patients are struggling to get appointments due to a shortage of psychiatrists. In addition, workers are dealing with burnout due to staffing shortages. But the county has made improvements since it declared a mental health crisis in 2022.
The report recommends the department focus on recruitment and retention, in addition to partnering with educational institutions to improve opportunities in mental health education. At the Nov. 4 Board of Supervisors meeting, District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg directed staff to come back in September 2026 and provide responses to all recommendations from the report…