In a remote Californian nursing home, 94-year-old George (pseudonym) found himself grappling with loneliness and depression. Stricken by dementia and devoid of nearby family, George’s visitors were few and far between. The isolation deepened his despondency, exacerbated by the sense of disconnection within the facility. As his memory waned, confusion and frustration grew, eventually leading George to a dark moment—placing a bag over his head in a desperate bid to end his life last year.
Despite the nursing home’s social services director recognizing the need for psychotherapy, George’s rural location posed a challenge: there were no available psychologists for in-person visits. Instead, George was connected with a clinical psychologist for remote weekly telehealth psychotherapy sessions.
Upon his original psychologist’s departure, George began sessions with Dr. Jennefer Ho, senior clinical manager at Executive Mental Health. Through these virtual sessions, George found a path to understanding his emotions and embracing life within the facility, while also coming to terms with his complex relationship with his daughter, with whom he once lived.
Dr. Ho emphasizes, “Telehealth has had a profound impact on George’s life.”
George is just one among an estimated 122 million Americans, accounting for 37 percent of the population, living in the 5,833 federally designated “mental health professional shortage areas.” In specific states, this figure escalates to 80 percent, with a significant concentration of these underserved areas being situated in rural regions.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science highlights that approximately one-fifth of rural-dwelling Americans report a mental illness. This study also underscores a concerning treatment disparity: while the prevalence of mental health conditions remains comparable across urban and rural areas, the availability of specialized medical professionals like psychologists is disproportionately limited in rural locales—similar to George’s situation.
Telehealth services emerge as a promising solution to address this critical gap. A 2021 study demonstrates that rural residents are increasingly accepting and satisfied with telehealth services for diverse medical needs. Telehealth brings about overarching advantages such as enhanced access to care, lowered costs for patients and healthcare providers, heightened training opportunities for medical professionals—ultimately contributing to improved recruitment and retention.
However, challenges persist: A 2023 study highlights the low adoption of telehealth among rural populations due to technology barriers. Many residents lack the necessary digital devices and high-speed internet infrastructure. Moreover, factors like language barriers, visual and hearing impairments further hinder rural individuals’ engagement with telehealth services, according to a 2021 national survey conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Social Sciences Research Solutions.
