Trainings and Resources

More than twenty percent of adults—or 1 in 5—experience a behavioral health disorder every year in the United States. Behavioral health disorders can be challenging to identify, screen for and treat, especially in rural communities and the supply of behavioral health providers often cannot meet the demand for services. This webinar highlighted state policy options to increase access to rural behavioral health providers, including leveraging telebehavioral health, considering licensing policies and compacts, utilizing emerging health professionals to address workforce gaps, and examining scope of practice policies for behavioral health professionals.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy recently announced $1.365M supporting three awards to improve behavioral health care services in rural counties served by the Northern Border Regional Commission.  This three-year project will support education and training for health professionals in treatment and interventions for behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorder.

The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services recently published a policy brief on behavioral health and primary care integration in rural health facilities.