OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry Statistics The number of U.S. behavioral health professionals increased about 14% from 1996 to 1998, from a total of 398,771 to a total of 468,667, respectively. During the same period, the rate of U.S. behavioral health professionals per 100,000 population rose to 176.6 in 1998 - up from 151.8 in 1996. The numbers for some states are soaring over the national average, and are well above what is considered the "appropriate" ratio - 70 professionals . . .