Report Finds Rural Mental Health Issues Overlooked

Rural Americans remain underserved in terms of health insurance coverage and mental health providers, a new report finds. The Center for Rural Affairs report, “Mental Health: Overlooked and Disregarded in Rural America,” points out that major depression rates in some rural areas significantly exceed those in urban areas. Teens and older adults in rural areas have significantly higher suicide rates than their urban counterparts. It calls for health care reform that includes an affordable, meaningful public health insurance option. And any such reform should also ensure that all Americans, rural and urban, have reasonable access to quality mental health care. (The Grand Island Independent, 5/29/09)