HUMAN-RESOURCE ISSUES IN RURAL MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES

Human resource issues related to the provision of mental health care i n rural areas under the proposed health care reform are addressed. Rur al areas continue to utilize more non-specialty providers in the previ sion of mental health care. First, issues surrounding the training, re cruitment, and retention of specialty mental health providers differ b etween urban and rural areas. Next, innovative strategies currently be ing used to attract and retain specialty providers to rural practice a re presented. Finally, implications for expanding the knowledge base r elated to rural providers are explored.