# Further Evaluation of Youth Mental and Behavioral Health in Rural Communities

## TL;DR

This study explores how rural communities in the US perceive mental and behavioral health services for youth and identifies barriers and strengths in their systems.

## Contribution

The study provides community-specific insights into rural youth mental health service perceptions and challenges.

## Key findings

- Common themes were identified regarding available mental and behavioral health services in rural communities.
- Barriers to accessing satisfactory services were reported by caregivers, healthcare providers, and educators.
- Perceived strengths within the community’s mental health system were also highlighted.

## Abstract

Mental and behavioral healthcare (MBH) needs of youth have been increasingly recognized over the past decade. Youth living in rural areas of the United States face a particular challenge in accessing appropriate MBH services. However, the individual needs of communities vary. The current study recruited 32 caregivers, healthcare providers, and educators from four rural communities in one state in the Mountain West region of the United States. These participants responded to questions during a 45–60-min focus group. The goal of the focus groups was to understand (a) how caregivers, healthcare providers, and educators perceive the types of MBH services that are available in their community; (b) what barriers they perceive to accessing satisfactory MBH services; and (c) what strengths they perceive within their community’s MBH system. Results of a thematic analysis of focus group transcripts found common and conflicting themes that likely have an impact on the development of an effective MBH system for rural youth.