Mental health services for rural children and adolescents

Rural behavioral health services for children and adolescents: An ecological and community psychology analysis

“…Hartley (1997) emphasized the important role of primary care providers in rural behavioral health services. Kelleher, Taylor, and Rickert (1992) specifically discussed the role of the primary care sector in behavioral health service delivery for rural youth. However, the scarcity of health care professionals in rural areas continues to be documented (HartHester & Thomas, 2003).…”

Rural Youth: Ecological and Life Course Perspectives

“…In addi tion, research on mental health service utilization suggests that rural residents are less likely to seek help than are residents of nonrural areas, controlling for levels of psychiatric disturbance (Kelleher, Taylor, & Rickert, 1992). Possible explanations for this diff erence include cultural norms favoring self-reliance; concerns about confi dentiality in close-knit communities; and distrust of physicians and social service agencies, who may be viewed as "outsiders" (Bushy, 1994;Kelleher et al, 1992). Similar considerations may keep rural adolescents from seeking treatment for drug-related problems.…”

Promoting safe schools and healthy students in rural Pennsylvania

“…This is a growing trend in American schools as many children and youth who are in need of mental health services are not receiving care when it is offered primarily through traditional outpatient service systems (Flaherty, Weist, & Warner, 1996;Weist, 1997). There are a number of possible reasons for this, including transportation problems, family disorganization, lack of adequately trained providers, or stigma associated with mental health needs (Kelleher, Taylor, & Rickert, 1992). Having mental health providers on school grounds reduces many of these barriers.…”