Summit County health director reports rising behavioral-health demand, clinician shortages and limited MCOT hours

Aaron Newman, presenting the spring behavioral-health update, told the Summit County Board of Health that the county’s public behavioral-health network saw about 6,415 unique clients in FY22 and is estimating roughly 6,800 for FY23 after shifting to a network model that greatly expanded clinician access.

Newman said the county moved from a small number of public clinicians to a network that increased local clinician access (about 92 clinicians locally and roughly 2,700 statewide under the contract), producing a substantial rise in Medicaid-covered clients served. He said approximately 5,486 clients in the public network were seen through Medicaid and that the county covers 20% of behavioral-health Medicaid costs (about $375,000 annually).

The presenter also highlighted workforce challenges: an estimated 17% of local clinicians retired or left the field between 2020 and 2023, fewer clinicians accept commercial insurance and average self-pay rates rose to about $175 for a 45-minute session. Newman described targeted workforce-development efforts including scholarship programs aimed at recruiting Spanish-speaking clinicians and funding internships with a 3–5 year service agreement for successful candidates.

On crisis services, Newman reviewed MCOT (mobile crisis outreach team) activity and limits: MCOT averaged about 26 NCOT interactions per month and calls tied to suicidality make up the largest share of responses. Although the MCOT program is state-funded to operate 24/7, the county currently staffs the team only during business hours because of limited personnel; Newman said hours are typically about 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the county is exploring a “firehouse” staffing model if housing and staff can be secured.

Newman also described systemwide coordination: the county partners with Wasatch Behavioral to maintain MCOT operations, routes 988 calls to Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Salt Lake for master's-level clinician triage, and recently conducted 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training for local law enforcement.

Board members asked about access and wait times; Newman said the wait for Spanish-speaking clinicians is about six weeks and that the county expects only a modest churn from the Medicaid 'unwinding.' He closed by previewing an FY22 suicide-data report the medical examiner will release soon and said the change in Utah’s national ranking reflects regional increases elsewhere as much as local change.

Newman concluded that the county’s strategic plan includes recruitment, scholarships and internship commitments to help build a pipeline of clinicians for both public and nonprofit providers.