FROM THE GUEST EDITORS - RURAL AMERICA: A CALL FOR NURSES TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Abstract

At the time we were preparing to write this editorial, we received an e-mail from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) stating that there would be cuts in the Title VII and VIII programs, which fund the health professions, particularly nursing and public health. They also stated that serious shortages to exist in rural and under-served areas, in part due to market forces, driving health professionals to practice where higher wages are available (APNA, 2001). Rural areas are notorious for their lack of health care services, especially the delivery of mental health services. Because funding issues continue to impede the delivery of quality mental health care, lack of access to adequate mental health care must be addressed by politicians, insurance companies, health systems, and health care providers, particularly nurses. Attempts to transfer urban models to rural settings have failed, leaving 8 million Americans without mental health care (Olsson, 2000). The purpose of this special issue is to bring to the attention of nurses the mental health needs of special populations residing in rural America.