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The Rural Mental Health Resources Hub from Mental Health America was launched this past spring. The website provides rural residents with resources to help overcome barriers to accessing mental health care, officials with the national mental health awareness nonprofit said.
Those resources include free mental health screening tests residents can do from their home or by phone, wrote America Paredes, MHA’s chief social impact officer, in an email interview with the Daily Yonder.
The tests walk people through a series of questions to assess the likelihood they may be experiencing a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, ADHD or bipolar disorder. Once people have taken the assessments, the site also guides them toward finding help.
“Based on an individual’s screening results, they have access to a self-guided platform that helps them navigate their mental health journey based on their experience and where they are in their journey,” Paredes said.
Those in the early stages of trying to learn more about mental health issues can use an overview section called Mental Health 101, while people who have already started exploring interventions can learn about therapy and find help.
The site also serves as a resource hub for rural communities looking to serve residents who may have mental health issues.
“We hope individuals feel comfortable in accessing the free and anonymous screening tools, which may help to remove some of the fear and stigma tied to mental health experiences,” Paredes wrote. “We hope this hub serves as a first step for individuals who may feel alone in their experience, and organizations looking to support these communities by providing them with free resources.”
