An employer's guide to rural mental health care
The reality of rural mental health care
More than half of Iowa’s 99 counties are considered rural, with 36 percent of Iowans calling one of these rural counties home. In South Dakota, 43 percent of residents live in a rural and/or frontier county1.
Rural living presents challenges when it comes to accessing mental or behavioral health care. The population to mental health provider ratio in Iowa is currently 470:1 statewide. South Dakota’s ratio is not much better, with a 410:1 population to provider ratio.
Rural residents likely share a mental health professional — counselor, therapist, psychiatrist — with at least 400 other people.
Complicating matters, the second-leading cause of death in Iowa and South Dakota for ages 10–24 years old is suicide, and rural communities are disproportionately affected. Adults living in rural areas also report higher substance abuse rates than those living in urban areas.
"Many small communities lack economic diversity, so the loss of an employer or a poor harvest can impact an entire community," said Dr. Matt Stanley, D.O., DLFAPA, senior medical director of behavioral health at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "Substance use — especially alcohol — is as high or higher in rural communities than in suburban or urban communities, and someone attempting recovery has few options to change their social group or adopt new social outlets."
Expanding access where it's needed most
Many rural communities face barriers to mental health care. Learn how the Wellmark Foundation is supporting programs that connect more Iowans and South Dakotans with the care they need.
Here's how to help rural employees with their mental or behavioral health
- Consider offering an employee assistance program that provides wellness resources like free counseling sessions. Stress relief tactics, nutrition and exercise guidance and financial advising are all factors that directly impact mental well-being.
- Encourage employees to use their paid time off.
- Consider offering company-wide mental health days for your employees throughout the year.
- Regularly communicate mental health care tips and the availability of resources.
- Make sure employees are aware of the mental and behavioral health care and support their existing primary care provider can provide, so they can get the support they need. Their provider can diagnose a mental health condition and coordinate care with mental health care professionals or prescribe medication.
- Consider a virtual mental health solution. This helps employees avoid taking extended time off work to travel to a provider and expands mental and behavioral health care access to employees in rural areas who may not have one available. Most Wellmark health plans include access to virtual mental health visits. Rural employees can virtually connect with a mental health therapist or psychiatrist anytime from the privacy of their own home.
- Weigh the benefits of a well-being program. An investment in the mental health of your employees is an investment in your business. Forbes reports that for every dollar employers invest in workplace mental and physical well-being programs, they can expect a return of $3 through improved health outcomes and productivity. Reach out to the Wellmark Well-being Team today to start the conversation.
- Because they’re often the initial point of contact, make sure your HR team is current on mental health benefits and resources, as well as how to work with employees seeking mental or behavioral health care.
- Connect with other rural employers to host mental health speakers and professionals, or partner with other local organizations to hold mental health events.
Lead by example
One of the best things you can do to help is talk about mental health at work. Address concerns in 1:1 meetings, or create a space for dialogue in team meetings. Bringing up mental health at work highlights its importance for all employees, regardless of where they live.
It's also important to make your own well-being a priority. Use the mental health resources available to you, and model a good work/life balance by prioritizing your own well-being.
Want to know more about mental health benefits?
Contact your authorized Wellmark account representative or email us at blueatwork@Wellmark.com to learn more.
Article resource
1Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. (2020). Iowa counties: Rural and urban classifications. Retrieved from https://indicators.extension.iastate.edu/Indicators/Census/iowa%20%20counties%20%20rural%20urban%20%202020.pdf
Disclaimers
Blue Cross®, Blue Shield® and the Cross® and Shield® symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Wellmark® is a registered mark of Wellmark, Inc.
Doctor On Demand by Included Health is a separate company providing an online telehealth solution for Wellmark members. Doctor On Demand® is a registered mark of Included Health, Inc.
For plans that include benefits for mental health treatment, Doctor On Demand benefits may include treatment for certain psychological conditions, emotional issues and chemical dependency. Services performed by Doctor On Demand psychologists are covered. Doctor On Demand does not provide psychiatry services. For more information, call Wellmark at the number on your ID card or call Wellmark Customer Service.