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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health workforce

Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Rural America
Recording of a May 2023 webinar discussing behavioral health and primary care integration in rural areas. Explores the importance of integration in rural areas, the barriers to integration, and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Features opening remarks from Tom Morris, Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and a panel of providers from Missouri, New Hampshire, and Texas. Transcript available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show transcript.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Achieving Behavioral Health Care Integration in Rural America
Provides an overview of behavioral health and primary care integration and how integration may be different in rural areas than in urban and suburban areas. Examines the barriers to integration in rural areas and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Offers policy recommendations to better coordinate and integrate primary care and behavioral health services for high-risk groups and expand the ability of primary care providers to handle the lower-acuity behavioral health needs of patients through enhanced payments, training, and improved access to behavioral health providers for consultation and referral. Builds on the March 2021 report, Tackling America's Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Through Primary Care Integration.
Author(s): Kendall Strong, Michele Gilbert, Julia Harris, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Recruiting the Next Generation of Behavioral Health Professionals
Podcast episode regarding the recruitment, training, and retention of behavioral health specialists in rural areas. Discusses the University of Iowa Health Care rural psychiatry residency track and Public Psychiatry Fellowship program.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
Discusses the shortage of behavioral health professionals across the country and highlights some of the contributing factors. Breaks down factors affecting licensed providers, clinical supporters, community care workers, and frontline workers. Makes recommendations for policymakers and includes considerations for rural areas.
Author(s): Nathaniel Counts
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Barriers to Mental Health Care: Improving Provider Directory Accuracy to Reduce the Prevalence of Ghost Networks
Recording of a May 3, 2023, hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance regarding inaccurate healthcare provider directories that impede access to mental healthcare. Features testimony from Robert L. Trestman, Professor and Chair of Behavioral Medicine at the Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, on access to care in rural Virginia.
Additional links: Robert L. Trestman, American Psychiatric Association - Testimony
Date: 05/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Stigma and Opioid Use Disorder in Northern New England
Report presents a study on the stigma around opioid use disorder (OUD) in Northern New England. Details the results of a survey of clinicians and counselors on the perceived stigma around OUD and OUD treatment in the rural counties of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Northern New York.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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The State Perspective on Rural Behavioral Health Crisis Services
Provides an overview of a 12-month State Policy Academy on Rural Mental Health Crisis Services to help five states - Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin - work to improve rural behavioral health crisis services. Summarizes lessons learned, successes, and next steps. Covers data-informed strategies, cross-state and stakeholder partnerships, financing and funding approaches, the behavioral health workforce, and telehealth.
Author(s): Miriam Pearsall, Sandra Wilkniss
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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South Carolina Mental Health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) By Category
County-level map showing Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas in South Carolina.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
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National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps (NACNHSC) Meeting Minutes, March 21, 2023
Minutes from the March 21, 2023 virtual meeting, including presentations on maintaining funding priorities for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC); goals, strategic development, and planning for FY 2023–2024; and NHSC updates.
Additional links: Agenda, NHSC Updates
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Trauma-Informed Supervision in Tribal Child Welfare (Part 1 of 2): Maintaining Clear Roles with Realistic Expectations
A webinar recording that discusses strategies to develop culturally-responsive and trauma-informed supervision in tribal child welfare. Discusses how to support child welfare staff, such as maintaining clear roles and ensuring manageable caseload expectations.
Author(s): Kimee Wind-Hummingbird, Lisa Stark
Date: 03/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Capacity Building Center for Tribes
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