State Psychiatric Hospital Beds At Historic Low Of 10.8 Beds Per 100,000 Population

The number of state hospital beds for adults with severe mental illness (SMI) have been declining and in 2023, reached a historic low of 36,150 beds nationwide, a rate of 10.8 beds per 100,000 population. A full 73% of states reported occupancy rates above the recommended 85%, with 90% being the median occupancy rate for these states. Eleven states (Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia) reported occupancy rates at or above 95%.

Six states — California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Washington, and West Virginia — have increased the number of staffed psychiatric beds . . .