Access to mental health services is a real problem and there is a definite need to come together to address the complex issues surrounding awareness, education and access. We had the privilege to hear from a panel of local experts on this very important topic during the Behavioral Health Panel on Monday, July 25.
If you missed this session, the PowerPoint presentation and panel recording are available.
Vawnita Best bravely shared her inspiring story of her mental health journey; Vawnita’s personal story reinforced the need for us to do better and to work together to identify opportunities to better support those hurting in our communities.
A sincere thank you to our panel for the work you do everyday to care for our community members. Thanks for working with us to increase awareness of behavioral health services in North and South Dakota. Also, an appreciation to you for recognizing the barriers individuals encounter in accessing behavioral health services and helping identify and serve as resources for care and improvement.
We look forward to continuing this conversation and highlighting behavioral health services, initiatives and the excellent work being done in our state.
Vawnita Best Walford City |
Heather Brandt Manager, Behavioral Health Community Supports; North Dakota Department of Health |
Andrea Heronimus Mental Health Services Program Manager; South Dakota Department of Social Services |
Jason Lillich Executive Director; Three Rivers Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Center |
Andrew J. McLean, MD, MPH Clinical Professor and Chair Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science |
Additional Resources
- Rural Health Information Hub: Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in Rural Areas
- Psychiatry Online: Challenges and Opportunities to Meet the Mental Health Needs of Underserved and Disenfranchised Populations in the United State
- Social Solutions: Top 5 Barriers to Mental Healthcare Access
- American Hospital Association: It’s time to increase access to behavioral health care
- Health Affairs: Behavioral Health: A Payer-Based Strategy For Improving Access And Quality During COVID-19 And Beyond
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Recommendations for Improving Access to Behavioral Health Care