Workforce Planning for Embedded Mental Health Care in the U.S. Navy

Area of Science:

• Military health services research
• Public health workforce planning
• Operational psychology

Background:

• Embedding mental health (MH) providers in operational units offers holistic support.
• Increasing demand for MH care necessitates optimal staffing for Sailors and Marines.
• The U.S. Navy (USN) analyzed MH staffing to meet global operational unit needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine optimal mental health (MH) care staffing levels for the U.S. Navy's (USN) embedded MH delivery model.
• To address the growing demand for MH care within globally distributed operational units.
• To develop a systematic approach for workforce planning in military mental health services.

Main Methods:

• Utilized existing data sources to quantify current MH care staff and estimate future demand.
• Employed an open-source Linear Programming application for efficient staffing solution estimation.
• Analyzed workforce needs across all USN platforms to inform staffing decisions.

Main Results:

• Linear Programming algorithm estimated varying staffing levels required across different USN communities.
• Results indicated specific staffing needs based on existing levels and projected demand for Sailors and Marines.
• Identified communities requiring additional embedded mental health resources.

Conclusions:

• This initiative represents the first systematic workforce planning for the USN's global embedded MH care demand.
• The study precisely identified the type and allocation of MH resources needed for specific communities.
• Findings will guide the strategic deployment of MH professionals to meet operational mental health requirements.