Solve Mental Health Access
Rural jails across America are facing a growing issue: lack of access to mental health care. Experts have an opinion on how best to address this issue, and it’s not as clear-cut as one might think. Money alone cannot guarantee better access to mental health interventions in rural jails. In this article, we discuss the complexities of this issue, drawing from the perspective of experts working in the field, and explore potential solutions. [[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7681156/)], [[2](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/02/18/experts-say-the-new-normal-in-2025-will-be-far-more-tech-driven-presenting-more-big-challenges/)], [[3](https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/national-guidelines-for-behavioral-health-crisis-care-02242020.pdf)]. From jails struggling to comply with current standards to the harrowing rise in mental health disparities as inequality continues to grow in the US, we’ll investigate how this affects inmates held in rural jails and discuss ways to improve the system.
Table of Contents
- 1. Mental Health Services in Rural Jails: A Growing Issue
- 2. Funding Limitations: Too Little, Too Late
- 3. Breaking Down Barriers to Access
- 4. Reimagining How To Provide Care For All
- Q&A
1. Mental Health Services in Rural Jails: A Growing Issue
Mental health services in rural jails is a growing issue that must be addressed. It is estimated that up to 74% of people in rural jail have a mental illness, an even higher percentage than in urban jails [[1](https://bulletin.wustl.edu/about/prior/Bulletin_2019-20_university_college.pdf)]. Despite this, resources for providing these services are not always available.
The Resource Gap
- Many of these rural jails do not have the resources, personnel, or funds to provide appropriate mental health care to inmates, leaving them to rely on other, sometimes inadequate resources.
- When resources are provided, they are often limited, as rural areas tend to have limited access to behavioral health professionals and medical facilities due to long distances, undeveloped transportation systems, and lack of funding.
These resource limitations can lead to a variety of adverse outcomes. For example, not providing necessary mental health services can result in a worsening of the inmate’s condition, leading to increased length of time in jail [[2](http://files.eqcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/12_Vol14-15.pdf)], reduced outcome in terms of eventual release, and increased risks of suicide or self-harm. Without appropriate mental health care or resources to help inmates better understand how to manage their mental health conditions, many inmates suffer needlessly [[3](https://irp.cdn-website.com/8629e155/files/uploaded/strategies_for_technical_communication_in_the_workplace_4th_edition_free.pdf)].
2. Funding Limitations: Too Little, Too Late
When it comes to funding limitations, the expression “Too Little, Too Late” rings true all too often. [[1](https://sec.nes-accnt.mdsaptech.com/7immp/how-many-amazon-corporate-offices-are-there.html)] In many cases, the companies that may have benefitted from cash infusions or otherwise limited resources have simply run out of time or resources before they can tap into the pool of funds–denying them the breathing room and opportunities necessary for them to thrive.
Expanding upon this, businesses may simply fall short when it comes to the timeline of acquiring funding. [[2](https://aternam.fr/lsgct/star-casino-menu.html)] This can be due to a variety of factors, such as gathering and analyzing potential investment opportunities, an extensive and arduous regulatory process, and the overall timing of potential transactions. As a result, businesses are often left with either very little or no funding, either due to a lack of resources available or a lack of adequate preparation for the inevitable paperwork and bureaucratic proceedings.
Furthermore, some businesses may be unable to obtain the necessary funds due to certain industry-specific obstacles. [[3](http://mounker.net/8wmcntowy/vocabulary-worksheet-pdf.html)] For example, the legal and regulatory roadblocks associated with certain businesses may make it difficult for investors to commit to the cause or for businesses to secure sufficient capital. As a result, the unfortunate reality is that the money comes too late, leading to missed opportunities or a lack of the resources needed to survive in an ever-shifting marketplace.
Below are two common strategies used to overcome funding limitations:
- Prioritizing capital-optimal investments and focusing on prudent and careful spending.
- Developing new methods of revenue generation, such as the introduction of subscription services, strategic partnerships, or the formation of strategic alliances or syndicates.
Finally, having a fully-integrated financial roadmap in place can go a long way in reducing the risk of missed opportunities. It serves to provide an actionable roadmap that allows for informed decisions to be made related to funding and provides the necessary flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
3. Breaking Down Barriers to Access
In order to provide equitable access for multilingual learners, breaking down the barriers that prevent them from mastering the language is essential. To accomplish this, [[3](https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/resource/WIDA-ELD-Standards-Framework-2020.pdf)] proposes four key strategies to support access:
- Adapt instruction to the language proficiency and cultural backgrounds of the students
- Strategically build language proficiency with evidence-based instruction
- Incorporate language and culture into instruction
- Encourage students to transfer and apply language skills across settings
In this sense, it is important to develop language proficiency through informed instruction. This can be done through analyzing students’ linguistic competencies, creating appropriate support plans, and regularly assessing student progression. It is also important to provide materials and instruction that are culturally and linguistically responsive. [[1](https://pracownik.kul.pl/files/12439/public/3_David.pdf)] suggests that it is essential for teachers to ask their students questions that guide them in their learning process, as this may provide effective direction in their learning.
To ensure success, it is also important to offer students a variety of opportunities to demonstrate their progress. This is where proofreading, revising and editing practices [[2](https://www.misd.net/languageart/grammarinaction/proofreadingrevisingediting.pdf)] come in handy. Effective practices such as guided self-pacing, developing strong revision and proofreading skills, and recognizing students’ abilities can help them break down barriers to an English language environment.
4. Reimagining How To Provide Care For All
Care-based Methodologies
- Care-based Methodologies [[1](https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/carebased-methodologies-9781350215597/)] is an approach to research that shifts the focus onto relationships between researchers and young participants in school-based settings. Solve Mental Health Access
- By taking into account the society, values and experiences of the participants, researchers and educators can create a mutual understanding of how research can improve the participants’ lives.
- A key factor within Care-based Methodologies is that instead of providing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, it is individually tailored to each participant so that everyone is treated with respect and acceptance.
Reimagining The Patient-Caregiver Relationship
- The patient-caregiver relationship has been reinvented by Mercy Hospital, through the inclusion of community health wSolve Mental Health Access orkers in the Emergency Department [[2](https://www.hfma.org/guidance/healthcare-2030/reimagining-the-patient-caregiver-relationship/)], to provide a proactive care model for patients.
- Mercy’s use of a team-based approach allows for stronger, personalized care for each patient. This includes cooperation and communication between the individual patient and the health workers to ensure the patient’s best interests are taken care of.
- By thinking outside of the traditional methods of patient care, Mercy has been able to create an environment that embraces fully caring for patients on every level.
Q&A Solve Mental Health Access
Q1: What is the current state of mental health access in rural jails?
A1: Unfortunately, current access to mental health care in rural jails is inadequate. [[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7327283/)] cites the lack of resources, limited service availability, and the stigma associated with seeking mental health care as some of the manySolve Mental Health Access factors that contribute to this problem. [[2](https://www.naco.org/resources/reducing-mental-illness-rural-jails)] and [[3](https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma19-5097.pdf)] both note that this often leads to the unjust incarceration of individuals who would benefit from mental health treatment.
Experts have consistently established that money alone is insufficient to adequately solve mental health access issues in rural jails. With limited healthcare infrastructure and providers, many jails lack the resources to give needful and prompt attention to individuals struggling with mental health issues. [[1](https://www.hdrinc.com/sites/default/files/2018-10/providing-heathcare-in-the-prison-environment.pdf)][[2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36718549/)][[3](https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1789&context=etd)]. Furthermore, the gender roles present in such facilities can both directly and indirectly influenceSolve Mental Health Access those with mental health issues, as seen by the lack of recognition regarding the potential contributions made by their feminine or masculine gendered partners.
Despite the current state of the issue, it is possible for meaningful solutions to be found. Research concerning healthcare-prison interface and approaches that involve relevant stakeholders should continue to be explored, as they are vital pieces to improving the mental health services found in rural jails. Furthermore, acknowledging gender roles and developing creative strategies to incorporate them into the prison community should also be actively pursued. Solve Mental Health Access
Ultimately, our recognition of the access disparities when it comes to mental health within rural jails is paramount in revitalizing this issue. By leading with recognition, we can continue to work towards developing an environment that is understanding and conducive to the mental health issues of individuals in rural jails.