Behavioral Health is a Major Issue in Rural America

Poor access to mental healthcare prompts increased behavioral health emergencies and greater costs of care.

Rural communities face enough challenges with access to basic medical care. Accessing behavioral health has become increasingly difficult for every population, yet those in rural areas face obstacles of grand proportions.

Data doesn’t lie, and there’s new information to validate the scope of behavioral health treatment gaps across rural America. Mental Health America released its 2020 rankings, using 15 measures that encompassed treatment quality for children, youth, and adults with:

• Any Mental Illness
• Substance Use Disorder
• Serious Thoughts of Suicide
• Reporting of Unmet Needs
• Uninsured Status
• Cognitive Disability who Could Not See a Doctor Due to Costs
• Lack of access to Mental Health Services
• Inconsistent Treatment
• Private Insurance that didn’t Cover Mental or Emotional Problems

Also explored were students identified with emotional disturbance for an individualized education program, and mental health workforce availability (true provider deserts).

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