Do you live in a rural area or another area that has limited access to quality mental health care services? According to mental health experts and researchers, mental health sufferers who live in rural areas have limited access to sufficient mental health care services. This includes in-office therapy clinics, psychiatrists, psychologists, community services, and other mental health-related services. So what does this mean for rural Americans who need access to quality mental health care?
Rural mental health statistics state that over 18% of people living in rural America reported issues with mental health symptoms. This averages out to be over 5 million people who are living with chronic mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and similar disorders. The majority of these people don’t have access to adequate mental health care to manage their issues. In this article, we talk about non-traditional routes for dealing with mental health care shortages in rural America.
Non-Traditional Mental Health Care Options For Rural America
Online Therapy
When you choose distance therapy online, you can get therapy from home when you have no psychiatrists of therapists available in your area. More than 60% of rural Americans have no access to therapy within a 100-mile radius. Online therapy is an option that gives rural Americans the same access to mental health care services as people who live in more populated areas.
Popular therapy sites like BetterHelp and Talkspace provide affordable online therapy options that make it easy to get regular therapy from the comfort of your home or office.
Telemedicine
Much like online therapy, telemedicine is a form of distance therapy that connects primary care providers and patients via a virtual interface. People who use telemedicine login to their phones or computers and are connected to their medical provider via video. Using telemedicine makes it easier to connect with your primary care doctor for simple questions, follow-ups, and mental health care services with a psychiatrist.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the distance between people who live in rural areas to mental health care providers can be as much as 150 miles.
What Mental Health Services Are Available Online?
You may be surprised to learn that you can have regular therapy sessions and medical appointments online. One great resource can be found at https://www.betterhelp.com/start. This method of getting treatment is becoming more popular as situations like the recent COVID- 19 outbreak that requires much of America to use social distancing to shelter-in-place or quarantine.
People who log in for mental health services online can access thousands of licensed therapy providers to get counseling, medication referrals, and social support. People who suffer from chronic mental health issues like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression.
If you’re looking for affordable distance therapy for mental health care and medical health care services, a quick Google search will return top providers and reviews. Now is a good time to reach out for support if you’re feeling the effects of the recent social distancing orders in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
In most cases, providers are available online 24-hours a day. This makes it easy for you to login and get the help you need any time of the day or night.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel BiographyMarie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
