Notes

Outline

Technology and Rural Mental Health Issues Race, Culture, Technology: Impact on Minority Health NHRA Conference San Diego, December 6, 2002 Sarah P. Farrell, PhD, RN, CS

Problem Statement Persons with serious mental illness living in rural areas face a variety of challenges to connect with the health system and mental health system. Through technology, many of the geographic, cultural and economic barriers could be reduced.

Objectives A vision of the role of technology in mental health The studies supporting such a vision The challenges and opportunities to achieve that vision

Purpose of Presentation The experience of developing a research program for rural mental health through SRMHRC/UVa The Technology Intervention Program for Mental Health (TIPMH) NINR/NIMH ISPN 2002 SNRS/ANF

SRMHC Director Beth Merwin, PhD, RN, FAAN Established by Dr. Jeanne C. Fox Current strategies to improve access to mental health care through linkages with churches and community health centers http://www.virginia.edu/~srmhrc

University of Virginia Rural Mental Health Research Center Improving the availability and quality of mental health care for rural, impoverished, minority individuals NIMH funding in 1992 –2000 2001 studies on welfare reform, mh and community health centers, discharge, labor shortages, poverty

Survival Models of Community Tenure and Length of Stay for the Seriously Mentally Ill: A 10-year Perspective DMHMRSAS and ARF data 1982-1991 Findings: African-Americans spend less time in the community (before being readmitted) than whites. People from rural areas leave the hospital faster than from non-rural, but  are readmitted at same rate.

De Facto Mental Health Services in Rural South What is behind reluctance to seek formal mental health care? Lack of transportation and poverty Beliefs in alternative pathways to treatment of illness Availability and accessibility of care must be examined

Alternative Mental Health Services: The Role of the Black Church in the South Methods. A computer assisted telephone interview with pastors of 269 Southern Churches Black churches providing    services than White churches regardless of location or racial composition Potential for linking faith communities with formal systems of care

Barriers to Help Seeking for Mental Disorders in a Rural Impoverished Population. Screen 646 randomly selected adults for depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse. 99.3% said they would seek mental health care if they thought services would help them.

Rates of Responses by Race I would seek out mental health services if they were available through my church…

Church Studies Church Study eScreening in churches eScreening with touch screens What do people want to do with the information they get from screening?

SMI studies Web Portals Phase 1 Feasibility focus groups Phase 2 Acceptability consumer interviews Phase 3 Usability portal

Challenges and Opportunities Challenges = Technology Opportunities = Technology

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Solutions and Conclusion Innovative approaches Setting Churches Primary care Libraries Approaches Kiosks Portals Virtual office hours