Mining for a Nevada ‘Counselor Lode’: Mental Health, Schools, and the Need for Responsive Legislation in the Silver State

Nevada Facts & Statistics • In 2014, Nevada was ranked lowest (51st) in the nation for “access to care” regarding mental health, moving from the 2011 ranking of 49th. • Studies show 69 percent of adults 18+ having any mental illness did not receive any form of treatment at any point from 2009-2013 (SAMHSA, 2014). • Nevada’s rates of mental illness are consistent with national averages, but substance abuse rates are higher in Nevada (12.6 percent) than comparable states (AZ: 11.6 percent; CO: 9.5 percent; and FL: 7.4 percent) (Denby, Owens, Kern, 2013). • Children and adolescents’ mental health needs are even higher at 14 percent, but Nevada has considerably lower rates of access to services than for children in comparable states. • There is a significant shortage of mental health care professionals in the state, with only 1.7 licensed counselors per every 100,000 people in the state (Brune & Carreón, 2014).