Mental Health Care in Rural Communities: The Once and Future Role of Primary Care

Authors

John A. Gale MS, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
David Lambert PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Keywords

Cutler, Population Health and Health Policy

Publication Title

North Carolina Medical Journal

Abstract

In this commentary, we first present a general discussion of the issues related to the delivery of mental health services in the United States with particular attention to how these issues complicate the delivery of services in rural areas. Next we describe the renewed call for integrating primary care and mental health in rural areas (hence “the once and future role of primary care” in our title) and related clinical and policy support to do so. We close by briefly describing the policy interventions and resources needed to further these integration efforts and to improve access to services for rural underserved populations.

Recommended Citation

Gale, J. A., & Lambert, D. (2006). Mental health care in rural communities: The once and future role of primary care. North Carolina Medical Journal, 67(1), 66-70.