Why the U.S. mental health care system is failing and how to fix it

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Recorded07 Jul 2025

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Internal medicine physician and author Robert C. Smith discusses his article, "Medicine's mental health crisis: why the system is failing us." He reveals the shocking disparity in care, where only 25 percent of patients with mental illness receive any treatment compared to 70 percent for physical conditions. This crisis, Robert explains, stems from a fundamental failure in medical training: primary care clinicians handle over 75 percent of mental health cases but receive only 2 percent of their training in this area. The conversation delves into the historical roots of this neglect, citing the centuries-old "mind-body split," and argues that medicine continues to ignore the scientifically superior and integrative biopsychosocial model. Ultimately, Robert issues a powerful call to action for the public to become informed and demand political change, drawing parallels to successful citizen-led movements that mandated seat belts and banned harmful chemicals, offering listeners a clear path to help reform our nation's approach to mental health care. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

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