Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health workforce
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
Nov 15, 2024 - Reports on a rural mental health summit in Plainville, Kansas, which included discussion of the role of rural faith leaders in connecting residents with mental health resources. Notes that, in areas where mental health professionals are scarce, residents may be more likely to seek help from local faith communities. Describes efforts to distribute mental health resource brochures to churches and provide mental health training opportunities to a range of rural community members.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Nov 7, 2024 - Discusses a new training program to address mental health workforce shortages in Vermont. The program will place mental health workers in rural schools and offer incentives for students that continue working at their placement beyond graduation.
Source: Vermont Public
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses disparities in access to mental healthcare in rural California. Discusses workforce shortages, technology facilitators and barriers to access, and affordability.
Source: California Health Report
Oct 29, 2024 - Announces a partnership between an Idaho university and Oregon community college to train area social workers in rural areas to address mental health access. The partnership offers students a pathway from the associate's degree to a master's program.
Source: Idaho State University
Oct 23, 2024 - Discusses a telepsychology program at the University of Iowa that aims to work with rural Iowans and train psychologists. Discusses the benefits of telehealth in increasing access to care in workforce shortage areas, the culture of rural, and overcoming stigma.
Source: The Daily Iowan