No matter where a person lives, they will be faced with problems due to their environment. The problems may manifest differently – but they can be just as difficult to overcome.
If you look at some studies, it appears that Americans who live in rural areas experience higher rates of depression and suicide. Other studies, however, claim the exact opposite, saying that cities are “associated with higher rates of most mental health problems compared to rural areas.”
But the argument of who’s got it worse doesn’t matter at the end of the day. Humans are humans and suffering is suffering. Instead, we should be focused on ensuring that every person, whether they live near a major city or not, has access to professional support.
Mental health resources in rural areas
That said, there are notable disadvantages for rural communities when it comes to actually getting help. While people from the city and the countryside are both susceptible to bouts of depression or other mental health issues, the fact is that urban citizens have greater access to help than their rural counterparts.
Studies show that rural areas have 20% fewer primary care providers. What’s more, 65% do not have a psychiatrist and 81% of rural counties do not have a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
These facts may be why the suicide rate in rural communities is higher, falling between 18.3 and 20.5 per 100,000 residents – compared to 10.9 and 12.5 per 100,000 for cities.
Providing the “four As”
There are four main barriers to proper care in rural areas, known as the “four As”: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. Greater funding from ourl elected officials should, of course, be part of the plan – but there are other ways that citizens can improve each others’ lives.
Let’s look at a few examples.
Availability: Embracing community support
While people living in rural areas deserve access to professional help, we shouldn’t forget that one of the great strengths of living in smaller towns is the strength of community.
For example, one of the main risk demographics in rural communities is men, who often report feeling alone and don’t have anyone to talk to about their problems. We have spoken before about how we can better support men’s mental health – with many of these suggestions being particularly well suited to a rural environment.
Take for example the concept of the Men’s Shed initiative, which brings together men from local communities (usually older men) to take part in creative initiatives, such as woodworking or similar crafts.
The benefit of this style of therapy is that it doesn’t feel like therapy at all. It is simply providing a space for “community” to do its work, giving men a space to talk and share while performing a hobby.
Accessibility: Be the change in your community
More on-the-ground resources are needed to help local towns. That’s a fact. But for many communities it can be difficult to get the support you need.
One way to begin promoting change is by volunteering to make a difference in your community with CIT training. This type of training helps you to work alongside local law enforcement professionals to augment the power of the police force in helping citizens.
The approach was championed by Retired Orland Park Police Lt. Troy Siewert to great success in his local precinct. As it was a police-led initiative, the assumption was that it was only for officers. But this isn’t true – anyone can undergo CIT training to help provide people with access to mental health services.
Affordability: Lending a helping hand
The size of small towns can be a disadvantage to providing access to affordable care. In the past – beginning in the 1970s – strategies to address this involved providing economic incentives and training for underserved communities. The results, however, were mixed. There are a number of admirable organizations that are continuing to advocate for policy reforms that include stipends for rural communities.
But if you need affordable help now, what can you do?
We should be championing new initiatives to bring affordable mental health care to rural populations through online channels. By prioritizing access to better internet, communities can open a lifeline to digital support.
Online therapy grew in popularity after the pandemic. But for rural populations it can still be the only option to get access to tailored help. What’s more, online options for mental health therapy are often cheaper than their in-person counterparts.
Acceptability: Learning to help yourself
Finally, all the resources and professional support in the world won’t help you if you don’t let it. According to research, people in rural areas struggle to reach out for help due to stigma or other reasons. In some cases, this can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like turning to alcohol for solace.
There are various ways we can do this. For example, we can turn to education to teach children from a young age that seeking support when you are in trouble is admirable, or that self-care can be “manly” and not an expression of “neediness”. But most of all, change needs to come from the community itself.
Find an approach that works for your town for the good of all. This could be from community centers, religious institutions, professional services, or more. What’s important is that we change minds and attitudes to help our neighbors and ourselves.
A community of Americans
The urban-rural divide is as much psychological as it is physical. Both communities can benefit from the insights and wisdom of the other. This is never more true than when it comes to mental health.
Instead of focusing on who’s got it worse, we should work to build bridges of support between rural and urban communities. By recognizing that all of us can experience mental health problems – no matter our background, location, or worldview – we can begin working together to bring change for all. Take a closer look at the mental health realities across Illinois. Check out Mental Health America’s State and County Dashboard that demonstrates the need for care and existing conditions impacting our state.
Do you have any ideas on how we can build bridges between rural and urban communities to promote mental health among all?
If so, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today!
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