Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Rural Youth: Insights from Adult Community Members

Janessa M. Graves (), Demetrius A. Abshire, Elissa Koontz and Jessica L. Mackelprang
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Janessa M. Graves: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Demetrius A. Abshire: College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Elissa Koontz: College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99201, USA
Jessica L. Mackelprang: Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, Australia

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: In the rural United States, provider shortages, inadequate insurance coverage, high poverty rates, limited transportation, privacy concerns, and stigma make accessing mental healthcare difficult. Innovative, localized strategies are needed to overcome these barriers, but little is known about what strategies may be feasible in, or acceptable to, rural communities. We aimed to identify barriers youth face in accessing mental healthcare in rural Washington State and to generate ideas to improve access. Methods: Semi-structured, key informant interviews were conducted by telephone with adult community members, including parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. Participants answered questions related to barriers to mental healthcare access that confront youth and approaches to improving access. Detailed, de-identified field notes were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Limited resources and stigma were the two primary barriers to accessing mental healthcare that youth encounter in the community. Limited resources included lack of services and transportation, inconsistent funding and mental health programming, and workforce shortages. Stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare was of particular concern for youth with diverse identities who experience additional stigma. Conclusions: Improving access to mental healthcare for rural youth will require building a strong mental health workforce and championing efforts to reduce stigma associated with help-seeking.

Keywords: rural; mental health; youth; equity; content analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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