Barriers and solutions to providing mental health services in rural Nebraska.

Abstract

Nonprescribing mental health providers are a large part of mental health care delivery in rural America. To better understand how they view the most pressing challenges to care in rural Nebraska, we sent a mail survey to all registered nonprescribing practitioners in the state (N ϭ 705), yielding a response of 35.4%. The survey instrument consisted of several items with Likert-type response options, examining barriers to care and solutions for those who seek and provide care. Providers identified the creation of group homes and dual-diagnosis facilities as important solutions. They also identified public health solutions as well as tax incentives and increased training for emergency medical services and primary care providers to guide initial mental health care assessment and treatment, and suggesting collaborations as a means to address the challenges of providing rural mental health services. This discussion examines the barriers to rural mental health care for patients and providers, with suggested solutions.