New Report Reveals Urgent Challenges Facing Michigan’s School-Based Behavioral Healthcare Workforce

Michigan’s Behavioral Healthcare Workforce for K-12 Students Among Lowest-Ranked Nationally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ana Hornburg

Michigan Health Council

[email protected] 

(517) 908-8229

OKEMOS, Mich.—(August 11, 2025)—Michigan Health Council (MHC) is proud to release the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Comparison Report, a comprehensive analysis revealing how Michigan ranks compared to other U.S. states in workforce strength and policy support for three critical behavioral healthcare professions in K-12 schools: school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors.

The report was developed by MHC Insight, the research and data arm of Michigan Health Council (MHC), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). It compares national and Midwest data on workforce growth, turnover, shortages, wages, demographics, and supportive policies. It also identifies promising practices that may help strengthen Michigan’s capacity to provide essential behavioral health support to students.

Among the key findings:

• Michigan ranks in the bottom half nationally for all three behavioral healthcare occupations:

  • 42nd for school psychologists

  • 37th for school social workers

  • 41st for school counselors

• Michigan has some of the lowest projected growth rates for these roles in the U.S.

• Michigan has the most post-graduate school social worker licensure requirements among Midwest states, and one of the fewest behavioral health-related Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings.

• Despite challenges, Michigan is a regional leader in school Medicaid expansion and offers several behavioral healthcare-specific financial aid and loan repayment programs.

“This report confirms what many in education and healthcare already know—our school-based behavioral healthcare workforce is under strain,” said Michelle Wein, Senior Director of Research at MHC. “By providing this clear, data-driven comparison, we hope to support collaborative, cross-sector action to build a stronger and more equitable behavioral healthcare system for Michigan students.”

According to a recent study, nearly 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition.

"School social workers are often the first line of defense in addressing students' mental health needs, yet the state ranks near the bottom in projected workforce growth across the United States,” said Duane Breijak, Executive Director at National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. “As mental health needs continue to rise among youth, Michigan must invest in growing and sustaining a strong school social work workforce to ensure every student receives the care and support they deserve. The data presented in this report offers a clear mandate to invest in recruitment, retention, and policy reform to make sure that no student falls through the cracks.”

The full report is available now at mhc.org/bhreport.

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About the Michigan Health Council

Michigan Health Council (MHC) is a solutions-oriented nonprofit organization on a mission to ensure the future of the healthcare workforce. Learn more at mhc.org.