MHC Insight‘s latest report, ‘HealthSights: Behavioral Health, includes an analysis of Michigan’s Behavioral Health workforce in the third quarter (July-September) of 2021.
Data from the third quarter of 2021, including July, August, and September, showed a decrease in employer demand levels for behavioral health occupations in the State of Michigan. There were 316 fewer postings (10.3 percent) during Q3 2021 than in Q2 2021, and 233 more postings (9.3 percent) than during Q3 2020. This suggests a rebound to 2020 hiring levels after a brief decline in the past few months. Interestingly, after steadily rising through May 2021, Psychologists have seen their numbers decline, while Health Counselors have seen their demand numbers rise.
Online job postings can represent the ceiling of demand for behavioral health jobs in the State of Michigan, but only if employers are actively advertising online. This results in certain jobs being overrepresented by job postings in relation to the actual number of positions available, while other jobs are underrepresented.
In 2020, there were 40,872 individuals working in behavioral health in the State of Michigan. 79 percent of the workforce was female, while 21 percent were male. While most of those working in Michigan were white (69 percent), African American or Black workers accounted for 23 percent of the workforce and Asian workers were two percent. Those identifying as having a Hispanic or Latino ethnicity accounted for four percent. The majority of the workforce (71 percent) was between the ages of 25 and 54, but a fifth (18 percent) were between 55-64, and may be approaching retirement.
Generally, completions for behavioral health have remained steady since 2013, with the exception of social workers, who saw a decline in 2017.
This information has been sourced by EMSI and analyzed by Michelle Wein, Director of Data & Research at Michigan Health Council, as part of the HealthSights series. The HealthSights series seeks to explore historical, current, and future trends in Michigan’s health care workforce, while providing context to employers, educators, workforce development professionals, and policymakers that assist with health care talent development in the State of Michigan.
Download the full report below.
If you have any questions or would like to request custom data, please visit www.mhc.org/insight.