How Many Psychiatric Beds Are Enough? Opinions Vary

A couple months ago, we released an analysis of the estimated number of psychiatric treatment beds in every state. In the article, I discussed current hot button issues like psychiatric boarding, proposals to re-create long-term psychiatric hospitals, and the question of how many psychiatric beds are needed in any particular area. As part of this discussion, we referenced a Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) report that estimates the need for 40 to 60 psychiatric beds per 100,000 population (see How Can You Tell If Your Area Needs More Psychiatric Beds?). Those TAC estimates sparked a lot of comments . . .