The article entitled “Mental Health in Rural Communities: Barriers and Solution to

Access” which was written by Andrea DuCharme. The article was a capstone project
submitted in Winona State University in 2022 as a requirement for completing a masters
degree. The study discussed hindrances in the access of mental health services among
rural communities. It also offers possible solution and includes the weakness of each
solution. The study was extensive in reviewing documents and journal related to the
study but lacking in testing solutions firsthand.
The study discussed the difficulties of rural communities in accessing mental health
services. The author identifies how the rural communities were different from urban
communities. It was also discussed how rural communities are classified. The causes of
mental health barriers were mentioned, that in addition to lack of resources, people
suffering from mental health problems also deal with stigma, lack of mental health
professionals, cultural orientation, access to finances, transportation, and education.
The author also mentioned steps that currently being undertaken to address the
problems of carrying out mental health programs in the community such as
telecounseling, psychoeducation among others.
The article has reviewed different study compare her premise regarding barriers. It was
also very informative and detail – oriented paper as it provides solutions currently being
undertaken and the shortcomings that was encountered in the implementation. The
article is emphatically written owing to the empirical experience of the author as teacher
in rural communities.
On the other hand, the author could have undertaken her own study and focus on
specific rural community. The research should focus in understanding the community to
properly address its situation and needs. The limitation of population could offer viable
solution for smaller communities. The discussion of the paper is confusing as it started
discussing with children as main benefactor of the study instead of the whole rural
community.
Coombs et.al (2021) pointed how difficult it is to have mental health access. The study
enlightens the reader on the wider existence of the problem both in rural and urban
communities as manifested by the different literature review, but the assessment and
solution testing should be limited to specific locality to better identify viable solutions.
References:

Coombs NC, Meriwether WE, Caringi J, Newcomer SR. Barriers to healthcare access
among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM
Popul Health. 2021 Jun 15;15:100847. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847. PMID:
34179332; PMCID: PMC8214217.

DuCharme, A. (2022). Mental health in rural communities: Barriers and solutions to

access. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from
https://openriver.winona.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1172&context=counseloreducationcapstones