One of the many challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic has been the urgent need to boost access to mental health care in rural Minnesota. A blueprint for positive change is now available thanks to a group of mental health professionals and other stakeholders who started working on the access issue even before the pandemic started.
“These recommendations highlight the need for continued efforts to strengthen the mental health care system in Greater Minnesota,” Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “Mental health is an essential part of a person’s overall well-being, and the stresses of the pandemic have made it more important than ever to ensure everyone in Minnesota can access quality care when they need it. This report is an encouraging step toward that goal.”
Those in Greater Minnesota often lack access to critical mental health services, due in part to an insufficient mental health workforce with a ratio of 1,518 people to each mental health provider in isolated rural areas, compared to 304 people per provider in metropolitan areas.
Stakeholders and mental health professionals found that Minnesota has made positive strides in recent years, such as the 2018 creation of mobile crisis services that were made available in all Minnesota counties 24/7. However, there are still challenges to address, and the report makes recommendations across four categories:
- Increasing awareness of mental health needs and resources
- Increasing access to services and supports
- Strengthening the rural mental health care system
- Supporting collaboration among stakeholders
The committee recommends programs that communities can implement, such as Mental Health First Aid, which is a skills-based course that trains people to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. Helpful policies that are also recommended include those that could expand access to care by increasing investments in transportation and broadband initiatives, which would support telehealth.
To raise awareness, the report recommends promoting the National Suicide Prevention Line and the Minnesota Crisis Text Line. The 2019 Minnesota Legislature allocated funds so Minnesota callers seeking support through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline now receive fast, localized support due to the opening of four new call centers operating in Minnesota.
To expand the workforce, the committee calls for recruitment efforts, decreasing barriers to training, greater mental health collaboration in primary care and extending the careers of retiring workers. There is also a need for more in-patient psychiatric beds, housing programs, youth services and school-linked mental health services.
MDH is also working on another initiative to help get more mental health practitioners licensed as professionals. Due to barriers, less than 50% of mental health students who get their master’s degree secure a professional license required to offer therapy independently. For example, one hurdle can be meeting the licensing requirement that requires a period of on-the-job training under supervision by a licensed mental health supervisor.
40 Square understands the importance of mental health, and works to provide benefits to support our members and the agriculture community. To address the mental health issues affecting rural communities, we’ve partnered with Teladoc to offer a new virtual benefit for mental health services.
With Teladoc’s Mental Health, adults 18 and older can receive quality care for anxiety, depression, grief, family issues and more. Choose to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or therapist to establish an ongoing relationship. Virtual therapy works! 76% of Teladoc users who took advantage of mental health services reported improvement after just three visits.
For more information on the benefits of activating Teladoc as part of your health plan, visit www.teladoc.com/aetna/.