ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Rural counties in Northwest Missouri continue to struggle with low accessibility to mental health care.
Nearly all of Northwest Missouri faces limited options for mental health care, as reported by mohealthcareworkforce.org. Professionals in the region state that insufficient funding and availability are largely attributable to stigma.
People aged 65 and over make up 19.8% of the population in Northwest Missouri, while those aged 45 to 64 account for 24.8%, according to Point2Homes.com.
Jessica Bledsoe, a leader of the Community Behavioral Health Alliance, works to improve rural mental health communication and access.
“Stigma is huge. In a small community, people talk,” Bledsoe said. Some don’t want everybody to know about their business (and that can affect whether people are seeking help).”
The CBHA covers Buchanan, Andrew, DeKalb, Nodaway, Worth, Gentry, Atchison, Holt and Clinton counties. They are currently surveying these counties to better understand mental health care needs.
Efforts are underway to gather accurate statistics on community sentiment and current approaches, and to assess how surrounding agencies can provide support. In addressing stigma, Bledsoe collaborates with another community leader, Melissa Birdsell, Director of Operations at Voices of Courage, an organization assisting children in need.
“In small communities, everyone knows your business, or it feels that way,” Birdsell said. “There’s hesitancy because of this. However, many younger people now discuss mental health more openly.”
In addition to generational changes, legislative efforts are underway to improve rural access to mental health care.
Kris Hannon, Co-CEO of Family Guidance, Northwest Missouri’s largest contracted mental health provider, as identified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, expresses optimism about new funding opportunities. Support is anticipated from the Big Beautiful Bill, particularly through the allocation of $10 billion to expand rural access to care via the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Allocation of the $10 billion will be determined over five fiscal years. In its initial phase, Missouri is set to receive more than $216 million, according to Governor Mike Kehoe.
These funds are managed by the Department of Social Services’ Missouri HealthNet Division, which anticipates improved access to care and better health and mental health outcomes in rural areas.
“One of the most difficult issues in behavioral health is funding,” Hannon said. “People often think it comes down to available dollars for treatment.”
While rural areas await funding, mental health professionals urge those in need to reach out for help. Taking the first step and asking for assistance is vital to begin improving one’s mental health.
A key resource for starting the process is the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline at 988.
Professionals said 988 can be used not only for emergencies related to suicidal ideation but also to help individuals find mental health providers.