Rural, Remote, and very Remote Mental Health

Abstract

While the prevalence of mental health problems in rural, remote, and very remote (RRvR) settings compared with metropolitan settings is approximately the same, access to services is much poorer. Consequently, the efficient resolution of mental health difficulties is often compromised in nonurban settings. Not only is access to services difficult in more rural locations, the range of health professionals available to residents in RRvR contexts is usually limited. People in RRvR settings, for example, may have access to health professionals who provide psychiatric and case management services but not have access to health professionals who provide alternative psychological and social programs. Thus, the availability of evidence-based programs and services is less than ideal for people living outside metropolitan settings. Furthermore, although people who live in cities have access to specialist mental health services, these services are frequently unavailable to people living in RRvR locations. Moreover, even though