BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Mental health providers are telling similar stories statewide.

Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has a severe shortage of behavioral health therapists, nurses and medical assistants.

“These positions are very important. They provide a core of service to the community,” said Human Resources Manager Sarah Gutierrez.

To help with the provider shortage, Governor Newsom signed the Mental Health Provider Shortage Act into law this week. The bill would “provide more mental health resources to the worker’s compensation system” so that employees can “get back to work sooner,” and “make employee mental health care more timely assessed and treated.” We are trying to address the shortage of mental health providers in California by doing.

The bill focuses on employee health, and Stacy Kuwahara, director of Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, said mental health treatment is fundamental and provides a valuable service to this community.

“Sometimes we don’t always get to see the impact of the interventions and services we provide, and sometimes we do see moments of real change,” Kuwabara said.

But she understands why she’s running out. Work itself is service.

“The work we do is very rewarding, the people we serve are very enthusiastic, and it is difficult to work with people in such extreme conditions,” says Kuwabara. said.

But “I find a balance between being very successful and working hard, and it doesn’t feel like I’m moving the bar too much,” says Kuwabara.

Kuwabara says success will be achieved when more mental health workers step up to help.

To contact Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services to assist you as a mental health worker, please contact bhrshiring@kernbhrs.org or call the Human Resources line at 661-868-6840.