The Silent Epidemic – The Mental Health Crisis in Rural America Part One: The Unseen Struggle

Mental health struggles are nothing new in rural communities like the Allegheny Highlands, but too often, they remain unseen and unspoken. In small towns, the stigma surrounding mental health keeps many people from asking for help. Others simply don’t know where to turn.

In Part One of The Silent Epidemic, we explore how isolation, economic stress, and a severe shortage of mental health providers contribute to the growing crisis. We hear from experts who’ve studied the challenges rural communities face, and we examine how stigma and silence prevent people from getting the care they need.

What’s Next?
In Part Two, we’ll look at the systemic barriers to care — from long wait times and a lack of providers to the financial roadblocks that make therapy out of reach for many families.

In Part Three, I’ll sit down with Pari Baker and Eric Gutierrez from Bath Community Hospital’s Behavioral Health team to talk about real solutions and how they’re working to close the mental health care gap right here at home.

The full series will be available at AlleghenyMountainRadio.org.