Director's Message

The Center for Rural Mental Health continues to expand its services and its recognition.

The Rural Telemental Health Network of the center was named one of 12 international finalists in the collaborative competition, “Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing,” sponsored by Ashoka's Changemakers and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

We were one of more than 340 solutions submitted from 42 countries. Although the center was not named the overall best program, finishing where we did was wonderful. "The 12 finalists have proven that communities worldwide now will have the resources and support to address mental health care needs," said Changemakers’ executive director Charlie Brown. "We are thrilled to highlight and encourage each solution and look forward to continuing our efforts to radically rethink mental health."

The Medical School’s Rural Minnesota Telemental Health Network supports rural health care providers and patients with a telecommunications link to mental health professionals who assist in the care of patients in rural locations.

As always, the center continues to provide health professionals from many disciplines an academic, physical, and social “place” to study and improve the treatment of mental health problems, especially as these are related to our rural and small community populations. This synergy is crucial to effectively developing new programs.

We continue to seek and receive funding for studies at the state and local levels. Private and corporate contributions are always welcomed, of course. Studies of complex entities such as determinants of mental and behavioral problems are costly and take a dedicated and professional staff. These studies are greatly needed and must be done to better serve the people of the state and region.

There remain many challenges ahead for us, but we are confident that we are making a difference. And recent recognitions affirm that further!

James G. Boulger, Ph.D.
Director