• Local Produce
  • Buy Local
  • Local Seafood
  • Local Food
  • Local Music
  • Local Art
  • Local Churches

CAPE CHARLES MIRROR

Reflections on Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore

  • Local Services
  • Local Rentals
  • Local Employment
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Pets
  • Contact Us
  • Rant and Rave
  • Asses&Villains

A Lack of Mental Health Services on the Shore

September 24, 2023 by Wayne Creed 1 Comment

The lack of mental health services in Eastern Shore is a significant and pressing problem.

Places such as Northampton County often have limited access to mental health facilities and professionals due to our remote locations. This lack of proximity (even having to cross the CBBT) can be a major barrier for individuals seeking care, particularly when transportation options are limited.

Many rural areas suffer from a shortage of mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. These professionals are more likely to be concentrated in urban or suburban areas.

While affluent residents in Cape Charles may skew the scale, our area has higher poverty rates and lower income levels than urban areas. This can make it difficult for individuals to afford mental health services, even if they are available.

While telehealth has the potential to bridge some gaps in rural mental health services, it can be limited by poor internet connectivity in rural areas. Additionally, not everyone has access to the technology required for telehealth appointments.

The consequences of the lack of mental health services in rural communities are far-reaching.

Many individuals in rural areas may go undiagnosed and untreated for mental health conditions, leading to a worsening of their symptoms and a decreased quality of life.

Mental health issues in rural communities can lead to social isolation, reduced productivity, and strained family and community relationships, which can, in turn, have economic implications.

Addressing the issue of the lack of mental health services in rural communities like ours is still daunting. Are there approaches that can be taken?

Surely, Governments and organizations should try to allocate more funding to expand mental health services in rural areas, including initiatives to recruit and retain mental health professionals in these communities.

As broadband expands in our area, this may be an opportunity to promote more telehealth services to make mental health care more accessible to rural residents.

If possible, try to implement mobile mental health clinics and outreach programs to bring services directly to underserved rural areas. Finding more ways to encourage collaboration between mental health providers, local organizations, schools, and community leaders to create a holistic approach to mental health care in rural communities is another option.

Addressing the lack of mental health services in rural areas is a complex challenge that requires the coordinated efforts of policymakers, healthcare providers, community leaders, and individuals themselves. It is critical that we improve access to mental health care and reduce the negative consequences of untreated mental health conditions in rural communities.

Filed Under: Bottom, News

Comments

  1. Paul Plante says

    September 24, 2023 at 10:31 am

    America as a whole, starting with Washington, D.C., has serious mental health issues that obviously either aren’t being treated, or are untreatable.

    Can a mentally ill nation continue to survive as a nation?

    Personally, I doubt it, but given this article is proof that that train has long since left the station, we alive right now might well be the first to know.

    And keep in mind that being bat**** crazy does not serve as a bar to voting in this country, nor does it serve as a bar to serving in public office right up to the white house.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Subscribe to the Mirror

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 391 other subscribers

Join the Conversation!

Send letters, opinion, goings on or photos to capecharlesmirror@gmail.com

Mirrors

Recent Comments

  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Should J6 be a Federal Holiday?
  • Paul Plante on Paul Plante: Where I have been and Why
  • Paul Plante, VN 1969 on Kiggans Votes to Restrict Funding from Iranian Regime
  • Paul Plante, VN 1969 on Kiggans Votes to Restrict Funding from Iranian Regime
  • JohnR on Application Received to Move House, Potentially Pave Way for Drive-Thru Bank in Historic District
  • Paul Plante on Paul Plante: Where I have been and Why
  • BRAND on Application Received to Move House, Potentially Pave Way for Drive-Thru Bank in Historic District
  • Paul Plante on CDC: Anxiety and Depression in Children
  • Stuart Bell on The Mirror’s List of Great Literary Works
  • Stuart Bell on CDC: Anxiety and Depression in Children
  • Stuart Bell on Idiot Libs Double-Down on the Stupid
  • Michael Perry on Kiggans Votes to Restrict Funding from Iranian Regime
  • Jay on Master plan public meeting to be held for Machicomoco State Park
  • Barbara Suzanne Coughlin on CDC: Anxiety and Depression in Children
  • Vese on Idiot Libs Double-Down on the Stupid
  • Not a Pharisee on Application Received to Move House, Potentially Pave Way for Drive-Thru Bank in Historic District
  • Paul Plante on Master plan public meeting to be held for Machicomoco State Park
  • BRAND on Cape Charles Planning Commission to Review Proposed Sign Ordinance
  • Paul Plante on Paul Plante: Where I have been and Why
  • Daniel Burke on Cape Charles Planning Commission to Review Proposed Sign Ordinance

Trending Now

  • Wachapreague Moves to Control Short-term rentals
  • Surfer Rules Summer 2023
  • Government Asserts the Defendants Lied and Cheated the IRS out of over $1.3 Billion: The Government’s Opening Statement of the United States v. Fisher
  • Aloha, Shalom and Namaste...until we meet, again
  • K-COAST Day on the Bay Aug 12th
  • Rosenwald School Awarded $1 Million State Grant
  • History Notes Special: The Boy on the Bike
  • NHPS Presents: The Untold Story: The Cape Charles Elementary School
  • Teachers: Broke and Burned Out
  • Cape Charles 4th of July 2023

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in