Branstad’s behavioral health residency program deserves support

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 17 Americans is diagnosed with a serious, persistent mental illness like bipolar disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia - brain-based diseases that create chemical imbalances much like diabetes affects the ability to produce and absorb insulin.

But it can be extraordinarily difficult for Iowans with serious mental health issues to access psychiatric care. This is partly due to the state's extremely low number of practicing psychiatrists. There are fewer than 200 practicing psychiatrists in Iowa, mostly in urban areas - fewer per capita than nearly every other state in the U.S.

That's why we're glad to hear Gov. Terry Branstad has proposed the state invest $4 million in matching grants to three Des Moines hospitals to establish psychiatric residency programs in hope it will encourage more new psychiatrists to stay and practice in Iowa.

Mental health educators say there are plenty of new psychiatrists graduating from Iowa medical schools, but there is a shortage of in-state residency programs which would entice those graduates to stay in the state. A review of 35 years of medical school data shows that medical students who attend an in-state residency program have a 75 to 80 percent likelihood of establishing a lifelong practice in Iowa, says Dr. Larry Severidt of Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. It's compelling evidence for a state that has struggled to keep highly trained young professionals within its borders.

So Branstad's proposal stands to be a solid investment of taxpayer funds that addresses a serious need. We only hope the project will expand beyond the Des Moines metropolitan area, which already is comparatively flush with psychiatric resources.

Branstad's proposal won't solve all our state's shortcomings when it comes to mental health services. It won't, for example, increase the number of community-based psychiatric beds, or necessarily increase early detection and diagnosis of serious mental illness. On those issues, we continue to urge state officials to act.

But providing more residency options in order to keep more young psychiatrists in Iowa is a good step. One that will make it easier for Iowans living with serious mental illness to access the care they need.

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