The goal of this investigation was to increase understanding of barriers to mental health care for individuals who live in rural areas. The study followed a phenomenological qualitative design. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 mental health professionals who practice with rural populations in 2 upper-midwestern states. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded following a hermeneutic coding protocol. Measures were taken to enhance trustworthiness of findings throughout the analytic process. Analyses revealed a range of findings that yielded these 4 overarching themes: rural communities have a distinct culture, rural mental health professionals face unique challenges, rural communities experience barriers to mental health care, and innovative ideas are needed for overcoming barriers to mental health care. Several categories and subcategories of findings within each theme also emerged. Data related to the nature and function of barriers to mental health care in rural areas largely support findings from existing literature. Data related to ideas for overcoming barriers represent novel concepts that should be explored in more detail in future research. These ideas have significant implications for policy, clinical work, and health care practices in rural communities.

No abstract

No abstract

Primary care settings often function as the front lines for behavioral health services in rural areas. The lack of formal behavioral health care in rural areas is also well documented. Rural family practice physicians were interviewed regarding the state of behavioral health care in their communities and their ideas for increasing access to quality care. Thirteen family practice physicians in rural locations participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed following a phenomenological design . Physicians described a lack of quality behavioral health services and challenges for integrating and collaborating with those that do exist. Participants also described the changing role of stigma, service delivery strategies that are currently working, and the unique role primary care plays in rural behavioral health care. Several ideas for increasing access to and efficacy of services are discussed; these ideas are informative for future research and interventions.