Mental Health Challenges in Rural Older Adults

This training provides an overview on the various mental health challenges that the older adult population faces, identifying the need to address the stigma associated with seeking mental health services that older adults may also face and how this will impact engagement in treatment. The program reviews healthcare provider considerations and recommended treatment options for their patients as well as considerations for healthcare leaders on addressing needs within their community. An appropriate audience for this training includes healthcare professionals, leaders, and providers of care.

Suggested Audience: All healthcare leaders and providers

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the specific mental health challenges facing older adults in general as well as older adults specifically in rural communities.
• Recognize the mental health needs of rural communities and barriers faced in addressing those needs. 
• Indicate options to address the  mental health needs of the older adult population. 
• Review the importance of investing in behavioral health needs of your community.