How Telehealth Bridges the Mental Health Gap in Rural Communities

There has been a strong focus on expanding access to mental health care over the last decade, yet millions of people in rural communities struggle to access the care they need. Long distances, limited transportation, and a shortage of mental health professionals often leave these populations underserved. Now, telehealth options like Ascend Healthcare are transforming the landscape of mental health care, providing a bridge that connects patients in remote areas with licensed professionals in partnership with their local community health centers. 

Understanding the Mental Health Gap in Rural Communities

Rural communities face significant obstacles in accessing mental health services. Approximately 61.8% of U.S. rural counties are designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), highlighting the limited availability of psychiatrists in these regions. In small rural communities, stigma can also prevent individuals from seeking help or requesting transportation support, making it even harder to connect with care.

Key challenges in rural mental health care include:

• Higher rates of untreated mental health conditions in rural areas.
• Geographic isolation and long travel distances.
• Limited transportation options.

These factors contribute to higher rates of untreated mental health conditions in rural populations. FQHCs and CHCs are often on the frontlines, but staffing shortages and resource constraints can make delivering comprehensive mental health care challenging.

How Are Telehealth Behavioral Health Services Offered Remotely?

Telehealth utilizes several forms of technology to deliver health care services remotely, enabling rural patients to access behavioral health and psychiatric care without leaving their communities or even their homes.

Ascend’s telehealth services include:

• Virtual therapy and counseling sessions through secure video platforms
• Remote psychiatric consultations
• Ongoing care coordination and follow-up with patients' existing providers
• Evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and medication management

With a smartphone, tablet, or computer, patients can connect with licensed providers while FQHCs and CHCs benefit from seamless integration with their existing care teams. Our mission is to customize our program and solutions to fit your unique needs.

How Ascend Healthcare Is Bridging The Gap

Ascend provides skilled and dedicated clinicians, creating fruitful partnerships with community health centers to design and implement virtual/hybrid behavioral health programs tailored to each clinic's population and existing workflows.

1. Fully Integrated Care

Ascend’s clinicians and operators are able to embed directly into your team, ensuring virtual care feels like an extension of your clinic rather than an external add-on.

2. Customized Programs

Programs are designed around your patient population, addressing specific needs such as behavioral health management, substance use treatment, or even pediatric psychiatry.

3. Experienced Team

With over 50 years of combined FQHC experience, Ascend understands the regulatory, operational, and clinical challenges community health centers face and provides solutions that work in real-world settings.

4. Access and Flexibility

Telehealth expands access to care, enabling patients in remote areas to receive timely mental health services without long travel or missed workdays.

Next Steps for Community Health Centers

Telehealth is transforming mental health care in rural communities by breaking down barriers to access. Ascend Healthcare takes this further by partnering directly with FQHCs and CHCs to deliver customized, fully integrated behavioral health and psychiatry services, serving patients best right where they are, without the obstacles of outside referrals.

If your clinic is looking to expand mental health access, reduce provider burden, and improve patient outcomes, Ascend Healthcare can design a program tailored to your unique population and integrate seamlessly into your team.

Learn more about what partnership with Ascend Healthcare can mean for your clinic here.