According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. While rates of mental illness are similar across rural and metropolitan areas, the availability of treatment varies widely based on geography.

For people living in rural areas, access to mental health care comes with many challenges. A shortage of mental health professionals in non-metropolitan counties, combined with increased demand and fewer providers being able to accept new patients, all contribute to a growing geography gap. Such challenges not only impact individuals, but the community as well. People struggling with mental health challenges are more likely to miss work, have chronic health conditions, and use more healthcare services.

Additionally, there is often a stigma associated with mental illness in rural areas, which can cause people to keep their struggles private, increase their risk for substance abuse, and avoid seeking help.

In response to these inequities, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is collaborating with Minnesota State University, Mankato, to improve access to mental healthcare in greater Minnesota. Blue Cross has pledged $600,000 over three years to establish the operational structure and advance the growth of the university’s Center for Rural Behavioral Health, which opened in the fall of 2022. The partnership with Blue Cross will allow the Center to develop and implement best practices on ways to strengthen behavioral health capabilities in non-metropolitan areas, with a focus on research, workforce development and continuing education and customized training. As a result, the Center is now officially named as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

“Advancing racial and health equity requires investing in long-term solutions that change existing structures and systems,” said Bukata Hayes, vice president of racial and health equity and chief equity officer at Blue Cross. 

This collaboration is not the first time Blue Cross and Minnesota State have focused on addressing access challenges by helping increase provider availability. Blue Cross previously pledged $500,000 to establish a presidential scholarship program and provide annual support for the university’s Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit and Undergraduate Research Center, with the goal of building more career pathways for diverse healthcare practitioners and culturally competent care providers. By continuing to grow our support and collaboration, Blue Cross hopes that the often-silent crises in mental health can be addressed in ways where all communities throughout Minnesota have timely access to high quality and culturally competent professional resources.

If you are struggling with a mental health issue, there are people who can help.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1