In Los Angeles county, the Department of Mental Health is struggling with a shortage of mental health professionals as many workers leaving these jobs due to to overwork and stress. Employees have reported burnout and expressed that the pay does not adequately compensate the high stress levels of the job. This labor shortage has been exacerbated by the rising demand for mental health services in the county. Beyond just county-operated programs, private sector providers and nonprofits have also been struggling to hire and retain mental health workers. As a result, there is a heightened need for university students in social work programs to enter the mental health profession.
See "Mental health professionals in LA county experiencing burnout, causing labor shortages and understaffed clinics", Sarah Parvini, Los Angeles Times, December 20, 2022