Between 2011 & 2023, Psychiatric Bed Capacity Declined Overall, While Beds At Freestanding Psychiatric Facilities Increased

While the total overall number of psychiatric beds in the United States declined between 2011 and 2023, from 115,350 to 112,986, according to a recent study, the share of beds at freestanding psychiatric hospitals increased, and the share of psychiatric beds at general hospitals decreased. Also during the same period, the share of psychiatric beds operated by for-profit chains with 15 or more freestanding psychiatric facilities increased.

The supply of psychiatric beds has increasingly concentrated in large chains, the researchers stated. In 2011, large chains operated 11% of the total 75,285 freestanding psychiatric facility beds. By . . .