In rural areas throughout the United States, the ongoing issue of accessing mental health services continues to be a challenge despite the emergence of telemedicine as an option for patients seeking care online. A recently published article in JAMA Network Open also highlights the fact that while virtual care has grown tremendously across the country during and after COVID-19, the gap between urban and rural locations still exists regarding access to mental health services. Compared to their counterparts who live in urban settings, rural residents are much less likely to have access to professional mental health services, are waiting much longer to see a provider, and have many fewer options available to them in their local communities.
According to a study by researchers who looked at outpatient visits from 2017 through 2022 throughout the nation, there have been millions of outpatient visits. Overall, although telehealth appointments have increased significantly throughout the entire nation, telehealth services available in rural areas have increased only slightly, and therefore very little inequity has changed in accessing mental health services at all.
The lack of access to mental health services is caused by barriers to broadband online in many remote areas, few providers willing to render services to remote areas and many individuals being deterred by stigma when attempting to get assistance for a mental health issue. While that is unfortunate, many people in families without access to needed mental health services will have to drive several hours to obtain necessary in-person therapy or counseling or choose not to seek help.
Both clinicians and advocates say the findings of this study should be the impetus to improve telehealth and that telehealth alone is not the solution to the structural inequities in accessing mental health care. They are calling for targeted investment in broadband wireless technology in rural areas, loan-forgiveness programs, and incentives to attract more mental health clinicians to underserved communities, as well as culturally appropriate outreach services available to meet individuals in their own communities. Minor changes to the access of mental health care for individuals who live in these communities (e.g., hiring a new counselor that is a local resident, etc.) will help improve individuals’ access to mental health care.
Source: U.S. News & World Report – “Telemedicine Not Closing the Mental Health Gap in Rural Areas
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