State officials are working to increase access to mental health care. The Michigan House Mental Health task force will meet in Clare County later this month to discuss mental health issues.
The task force is exploring ways people with mental health conditions can live healthier, and more independent lives.
Bob Sheehan is the CEO of the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards. He said accessing care in rural areas can be a challenge.
“What makes it especially tough is transportation. People have a hard time often getting into a mental health facility. So, in rural areas to overcome that transportation barrier most community mental health centers send staff out on the road to see clients in their homes, schools, and workplaces”.
Sheehan said the big mental health issues for rural Michiganders is more than just an inability to access care.
“We do find that the penetration rate, meaning the number of people who show up for services out of the population is lower in rural areas. But I think it's a cultural thing. If you start seeing a mental health provider people are afraid the words going to get out. Where in a more urbanized area you're masked a little bit by the population at large”.
The State House Mental Health Task Force is planning to meet at Mid-Michigan Community College in Harrison on August 21, at 1:00 P.M.
