Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health workforce
Jan 8, 2025 - Describes a newly funded project to increase the number of mental health professionals in rural New York schools by training social work graduate students in rural schools. Notes that rural students have higher rates of depression and isolation than urban students and less access to mental healthcare.
Source: WKBW
Dec 25, 2024 - Highlights efforts by Dartmouth Health to address behavioral health provider shortages in New Hampshire. Notes that shortages are most acute in rural areas. Describes the creation of an online database to help students find clinical placements and efforts to reduce burdens for supervisors and host sites.
Source: Valley News
Dec 23, 2024 - Discusses a University of Montana school counseling program moving from in-person instruction to online in a move to improve access to training for students from rural areas. Notes the mental health workforce shortage impacting rural areas. Highlights funding to offer incentives for rural students participating in the program.
Source: University of Montana
Dec 15, 2024 - Explores the impacts of behavioral health provider shortages on rural communities in the northwest. Notes that immigrants may face additional challenges finding care due to language barriers and some providers not accepting Medicaid. Describes strategies to increase access to behavioral health providers, including telehealth, increased reimbursement for services, and workforce programs.
Source: Northwest News Network
Dec 12, 2024 - Announces a new program to support American Indian and Alaska Native students in completing psychology degrees. Notes the underrepresentation in the Alaskan workforce leading to limited culturally-relevant care and workforce shortages in rural areas.
Source: Native News Online
Dec 9, 2024 - Provides overview of resources available through the Rural Mental Health Resources Hub, created by Mental Health America (MHA). Describes resources including a free mental health screening, educational overviews, and information for communities looking to better serve residents with mental health conditions. Discusses rural disparities in access to mental health treatment and efforts by MHA's South Carolina chapter to expand access through a mobile mental health clinic program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 26, 2024 - Discusses a student-led peer support initiative to destigmatize mental health in a rural Nevada community. Highlights existing challenges in accessing mental healthcare due to workforce shortages as well as limited transportation.
Source: The Nevada Independent