Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for Family Caregivers in Rural America
In this interview, Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand provides resources and information about overcoming barriers to mental health treatment for family caregivers in rural America who support a loved one with a mood disorder.
What are some of the unique challenges that people living in rural America face when accessing mental health treatment?
Many rural families live in areas where there are too few mental healthcare providers, which means they must travel long distances to receive care. With more than half of rural residents living in mental health provider shortage areas, research indicates that 65% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, 81% lack a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and 47% lack a psychologist. In addition, many people living in rural America don’t have adequate health insurance to cover the costs of mental health treatments.
People living in rural areas may also have limited access to affordable and reliable broadband internet service, with nearly 30% of rural residents reporting that they don’t have internet in their homes. That means telehealth appointments are not an option.
Beyond the lack of mental health resources and insurance coverage, people living in rural areas face unique lifestyle barriers that can affect whether they access the mental health care they need. As members of small, close-knit communities, many rural residents worry about maintaining confidentiality concerning a mental health condition, often fearing they will be viewed as incompetent or weak by family, friends, and community members.
What resources are available to family caregivers in rural communities to help them manage the mental health needs of their loved ones?
In rural areas where access to mental health resources is limited, support groups and online forums can be especially valuable for family caregivers and their loved ones seeking mental health services. Support groups provide family caregivers with an opportunity to connect with others who have similar experiences and can offer useful advice, as well as be a good source of mental health information and treatment advancements.
The following Rural Minds’ partner mental health organizations offer caregiver resources and online support groups:
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America’s caregiver resources and peer-to peer support groups.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s resources and support groups for parents and caregivers.
- National Alliance on Mental Health’s resources for family members and caregivers.
Realizing many people in rural communities struggle with mental health conditions and that their loved ones who provide care are often overlooked, Rural Minds presented “Rural Mental Health Caregiver Challenges Webinar” – an hour-long webinar that featured two rural caregivers sharing their stories of providing care for their family members, as well as a conversation about stigma. You can watch a recording of the webinar here.
Rural Minds also collaborated with the National Grange to develop the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program, which provides mental health information, resources, and training for people who live in rural communities. The free program materials include rural mental health fact sheets, tips, and information about how to start a conversation about mental health with people who might be struggling, as well as a guide for planning and leading community meetings to help raise awareness about mental health challenges in rural America.
Additional free rural mental health information and resources can be found at the following links on the Rural Minds website:
How can family caregivers in rural America support their loved ones seeking mental health services?
Building strong relationships with local healthcare providers is an important way family caregivers can help support their loved ones seeking mental health services. In addition to offering guidance on how to effectively manage specific mental health conditions, local healthcare professionals can provide referrals to mental health specialists, as well as recommend local or online mental health resources.
To develop these strong relationships, it’s helpful if family caregivers accompany their loved ones to medical appointments and participate in discussions about their health management strategies whenever possible. Staying informed about their care also helps ensure that caregivers are prepared to support their loved ones in making the best decisions about their mental health treatment.
What are some strategies that family caregivers can use to reduce the stigma associated with mental health in rural areas?
Increasing awareness with your friends, family, and neighbors that mental health conditions are medical conditions — just like diabetes or heart disease — is an important step towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health in your rural community. Some people still don’t believe that mental health diagnoses are valid medical conditions, but instead view them as personal weaknesses or character flaws. Much of the stigma surrounding mental health is a result of this unfounded shame, which adds to the burden experienced by people struggling with mental health challenges.
Talking openly with others about your lived experiences with mental health challenges can also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. The simple act of sharing personal stories is often the first step for individuals to reach out for help for their own mental health challenges and encourage others to admit that they are struggling, too.
How can family caregivers in rural America advocate for better mental health services in their communities?
Through advocacy and community involvement, family caregivers can help increase awareness about the challenges and needs they face in their roles. Advocacy can include attending local council meetings and contacting your state legislators to express concerns about your community’s need for better access to mental health services. It can also involve joining caregiver advocacy groups – either in-person or online.
Sharing your challenges as a caregiver for a loved one with a mental health condition will not only have a positive impact on the funding and policies that affect mental health services in your rural community, but also generate support for providing more caregiver resources. In addition, getting involved in your community and participating in advocacy efforts are great ways for you to connect with others in similar situations and ultimately build a strong network of support.
Chuck Strand is the executive director of Rural Minds – the only national nonprofit organization focused on providing the 46 million people in rural America with free information and resources to confront rural mental health challenges and the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Chuck’s background includes nonprofit leadership and patient advocacy as the CEO of Us TOO International, a prostate cancer nonprofit. Growing up in a small town in rural northern Michigan near the shores of Lake Superior, he experienced the mental health challenges that are common throughout rural America. Chuck is passionate about doing purposeful work to help improve rural mental health and wellness.