Rural and Urban Differences Among Mental Health Consumers in One Midwestern State: Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research

This study examines differences in rural and urban mental health service utilization and service satisfaction. Across-sectional survey design was used to gather information from a sample of 311 mental health consumers regarding their use of services relative to accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability. Data were collected from respondents individually or in small groups in various locations in one Midwestern state. Study findings showed that rural consumers are aware of fewer services, use fewer services, and are less satisfied with services than are urban consumers. Implications for rural mental health policy, practice, and future research are discussed. (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.