The Shortage of Public Hospital Beds for Mentally Ill Persons: A Report by the Treatment Advocacy Center

May 2008 In a study completed by the Treatment Advocacy Center, in 2005 there were 17 public psychiatric beds available per 100,000 people compared to 340 per 100,000 people in 1955. Thus, 95% of the beds available in 1955 were no longer available in 2005. Additionally, the study determined that the minimum number of public psychiatric beds available should be 50 per 100,000 people. The study concluded that to alleviate the bed shortage in the United States, state governors and mental health officials should be held responsible for shortages, programs of assertive community treatment and assisted outpatient . . .