Amidst the US mental health crisis, some lawmakers in both the Republican and Democratic party are teaming up to push for innovative solutions to address the lack of mental health resources available in rural areas.
The disparity in mental health services between rural and urban communities was highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018. According to their report, 17 percent of adults living in rural areas are more likely to have been diagnosed with serious psychological distress, compared to 14 percent of those in urban areas.
Unfortunately, this crisis has only been worsened by the pandemic. A survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2020 found that almost half of all adults in the U.S. report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, with those numbers being even higher among essential workers in rural areas.
In light of this, some lawmakers at both the state and federal levels are pushing for better resources in rural areas. Last year, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) championed the Proving Access to Mental Health Care in Rural Areas Act, which aims to increase the availability of mental health services in rural areas by eliminating provider licensure restrictions that limit access.
At the state level, Sen. Jack Whitver (R-Iowa) and Rep. Sarah Ann Sanders (R-Iowa) are leading a bipartisan effort, called the Rural Mental Health Alliance, to create a network of mental health providers throughout the state.
The growing support for innovative solutions to rural mental health issues is a testament to the growing understanding among lawmakers that mental health is an issue that affects us all. By creating networks of mental health providers in rural areas and increasing access to services, we can help combat this crisis and ensure that all Americans have access to the mental health care they need.