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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Antelope Memorial Hospital is spreading awareness of the challenges of receiving mental health access in rural areas. While mental illnesses have a similar prevalence in both rural and urban environments, the circumstances and access to treatment look different.

The National Rural Health Association tells us that rural residents face more obstacles in obtaining behavioral health services. As a result, distinct mental health differences are seen rurally compared to urban residents.  

Studies have also shown that the risk of suicide is higher in rural areas, making it that much more vital that individuals seek out and have access to help. The Rural Health Information Hub states, "suicide rate is near twice as great in the most rural areas of the U.S. compared to the most urban areas."  

“Everyone deserves access to quality mental health care” Senior Life Solutions, Lindsay Ottis, director of mental health. “Helping as many people as possible get the help and treatment they need is what we work towards every day.”  

Figuring out a solution starts with identifying the problem. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration highlights the following barriers to receiving mental health care in rural areas:   

• Lack of privacy – "Individuals living in rural locations commonly identify a lack of privacy barrier to receiving treatment.   

• Lack of culturally appropriate treatment – "Culturally appropriate treatment accommodates clients' beliefs and practices, preferred languages, individual and family histories, differences in symptoms, and preferred treatment approaches."  

• Lack of services – "Even when individuals living in rural locations want treatment, they may have few services and providers in their areas. They may have less access than urban residents to evidence-based practices."  

• Lack of Practitioners – "Rural areas have few behavioral health practitioners, particularly ones who are qualified to provide specialty treatment or EBPs. More than 75 percent of all U.S. counties are mental health shortage areas, and half of all U.S. counties have no mental health professionals."  

• Evidence-based ractices – "Some research shows that behavioral health facilities in rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to be independently operated and less likely to collaborate with a university to train providers on EBPs. At the same time, most studies that support EBPs are not conducted in rural areas or on rural populations." 

Recently, solutions such as telehealth have helped increase access to mental health care for rural Americans, making treatment more obtainable. Along with these technological advances, one thing we can all do to help improve access to mental health is simply talking about it. Talking about mental health can open the door for people to feel more comfortable and less afraid to seek help. 

The American Psychiatric Association says, "Research shows that knowing or having contact with someone with mental illness is one of the best ways to reduce stigma. Individuals speaking out and sharing their stories can have a positive impact. When we know someone with mental illness, it becomes less scary and more real and relatable."  

To learn more about how to become an advocate this Mental Health Awareness Month and join the national campaign," visit http://www.nami.org.  

Antelope Memorial Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions is a behavioral health outpatient program.

“We effectively treat our patients' unique mental, emotional, and health-related needs. Our program commits to improving the behavioral health of our patients, allowing them to live healthy and active lives,” Ottis said.

To make a referral, call 402-887-6400 or fax 402-887-6483.