Mental Health Services in Rural America
According to the Veteran’s Health Administration, “more than one-half of all the counties in the United States do not have a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or mental health social worker” (Veteran’s Health Administration Office of Rural Health (VHA-ORH), 2013, p. 1). More than 85% of areas with mental health shortages are in rural areas (VHA-ORH, 2013). In addition to these staggering statistics, it is known that rural residents have higher rates of depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, and suicide than people who live in urban areas (Rainer, 2012). Considering these facts, it is imperative that rural communities increase the availability of mental health services, especially crisis …show more content…
As stated previously, over half of American counties lack mental health professionals (VHA_ORH, 2013). Rural communities, in general, have suffered budget cuts and lack the monetary resources that larger metropolitan areas have (Larrison, Hack-Ritzo, Koerner, Schoppelrey, Ackerson, & Korr, 2011). Between 2009 and 2011, states in the U.S. reduced mental health budgets by $36 million, and some states, like Ohio, exterminated all funding for non-Medicaid based psychiatric services (Larrison, et. al., 2011). A few years later, the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare) required all health insurance plans to cover mental health services and was supposed to expand the opportunity for every United States citizen to have health insurance. This backfired and created a significant amount of the …show more content…
Reaching out to rural residents and informing them that mental health help is easily accessible and affordable without insurance would be imperative for the program to succeed. A study by the Veteran’s Health Administration in which mobile units were utilized showed that rural residents are more likely to pursue mental health help if it is located close to where they live (Mohamed, 2013). Mobile units, preferably in unmarked vehicles, manned by licensed mental health professionals and trained assistants, could be used to cater to patients in their own homes, as well as for crisis response. Home-based, anonymous care is important in a rural setting, where having a mental illness is regularly perceived as being weak or flawed, and is often looked down upon by other members of the community (Chalifoux, Neese, Buckwalter, Liltwak, & Abraham, 1996). The elderly and disabled would benefit tremendously from this service. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 million people over 65 in rural areas with significant mental health disorders, and most are not receiving treatment (Chalifoux, et. al., 1996). These statistics are unacceptable, and something must be done to encourage improvement. Mobile units
According to the Veteran’s Health Administration, “more than one-half of all the counties in the United States do not have a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or mental health social worker” (Veteran’s Health Administration Office of Rural Health (VHA-ORH), 2013, p. 1). More than 85% of areas with mental health shortages are in rural areas (VHA-ORH, 2013). In addition to these staggering statistics, it is known that rural residents have higher rates of depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, and suicide than people who live in urban areas (Rainer, 2012). Considering these facts, it is imperative that rural communities increase the availability of mental health services, especially crisis …show more content…
As stated previously, over half of American counties lack mental health professionals (VHA_ORH, 2013). Rural communities, in general, have suffered budget cuts and lack the monetary resources that larger metropolitan areas have (Larrison, Hack-Ritzo, Koerner, Schoppelrey, Ackerson, & Korr, 2011). Between 2009 and 2011, states in the U.S. reduced mental health budgets by $36 million, and some states, like Ohio, exterminated all funding for non-Medicaid based psychiatric services (Larrison, et. al., 2011). A few years later, the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare) required all health insurance plans to cover mental health services and was supposed to expand the opportunity for every United States citizen to have health insurance. This backfired and created a significant amount of the …show more content…
Reaching out to rural residents and informing them that mental health help is easily accessible and affordable without insurance would be imperative for the program to succeed. A study by the Veteran’s Health Administration in which mobile units were utilized showed that rural residents are more likely to pursue mental health help if it is located close to where they live (Mohamed, 2013). Mobile units, preferably in unmarked vehicles, manned by licensed mental health professionals and trained assistants, could be used to cater to patients in their own homes, as well as for crisis response. Home-based, anonymous care is important in a rural setting, where having a mental illness is regularly perceived as being weak or flawed, and is often looked down upon by other members of the community (Chalifoux, Neese, Buckwalter, Liltwak, & Abraham, 1996). The elderly and disabled would benefit tremendously from this service. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 million people over 65 in rural areas with significant mental health disorders, and most are not receiving treatment (Chalifoux, et. al., 1996). These statistics are unacceptable, and something must be done to encourage improvement. Mobile units