Mental Health and Substance Abuse

I try to regularly post about resources you can use to address mental health and substance abuse problems in your rural communities.  As I’ve written before, I think this is an area that often gets short changed, especially in rural areas, for a variety of reasons.

Several organizations will host substance abuse and mental health conferences in and near Wisconsin this spring and summer.  Even if you’re unable to attend, check the conference sites after they’re over.  The hosts often post presentations and other useful information.

University of Wisconsin Continuing Education’s Substance Abuse Certificate program begins March 15—I know, kind of late notice.  But these six one day courses will repeat beginning in September.  You can also take individual courses.  The program will provide practical information and the skills to help substance abusers.  Continuing Education is also offering a workshop series on aging and long-term care.  Two March workshops will focus on mental health and older adults; Dementia and Creativity and Alcohol and Drug Problems in Later Life.

These federal grant opportunities can help you address mental health and substance abuse problems in your communities.

  • The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program will fund planning and implementation programs that increase public safety through collaboration among criminal justice and mental health and substance abuse treatment organizations.  They will consider proposals that include training programs for criminal justice and mental health and substance abuse treatment staff, establish or expand mental health courts and other court-based programs or that provide appropriate services for system-involved individuals with mental health or substance abuse problems.  Proposals are due April 8.
  • The Mental Health Transformation Grant program will consider proposals that create or expand capacity to address one or more of their strategic initiatives, including preventing mental illness through outreach and early intervention and creating and expanding services to members of the military.  Submit your proposal by April 30.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center has created a Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention.  You can use this comprehensive database as you develop suicide prevention programs.  The registry lists program components, outcomes, materials and contact information.

Last fall the American Telemedicine Association released the latest in a series of telemedicine standards and guidelines.  The guidelines for tele-mental health care “are designed to aid in the development and practice of coherent, effective, safe and sustainable tele-mental health practices.  The guidelines focus on two-way, interactive videoconferencing as the modality by which tele-mental health services are provided.”  Telemedicine is increasingly common, especially in rural communities, and mental health services seem to be especially suitable for this technology.  Most rural areas experience a significant shortage of mental health providers and many are turning to telemedicine to alleviate the shortage.  These guidelines are a good place to start if you’re considering such a program.

March 11, 2010 · KJacobson · One Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,  · Posted in: Conferences and Webinars, Grant Advice, Training and Tools

One Response

  1. Rural Health & Community Development » Mental Health Care in Rural Communities - September 15, 2010

    [...] try to write regularly about mental health and substance abuse treatment resources for rural communities because there is [...]

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