More than 80 percent of rural counties without a city of 10,000 or more people—lack psychiatrists, according to a new study.
These counties are called “non-core counties,” and they are in dire need of mental health care. Non-core counties average less than four psychiatrists for every 100,000 people. Compare that with more 17 psychiatrists per 100,000 in metropolitan areas.
Furthermore, 91 percent of non-core counties are without psychiatric nurse practitioners, 61 percent don't have a psychologist, 35 percent lack social workers, and 24 percent are without counselors, according to The Rural Blog.
The study was performed by the Rural Health Research Center and the Rural Health Research & Policy Centers.