Bob Morgan, State Director of USDA Rural Development

It starts with caring.

On May 2, 2024, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new mental health service center in Uniontown, Pa. The facility, funded through our essential community facilities program, gives locals in need of care a place to meet with qualified professionals from the Fayette County Mental Health Association. 

From counseling to professional services, and from bingo to arts and crafts, the center provides it all. The new upgraded facility will expand mental health services and programs to hundreds of locals. It really shows that the community and government officials in Fayette County care. 

 
People, no matter where they live, should have access to high-quality mental and behavioral health care.

While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be difficult knowing where to start when it comes to taking care of your own well-being.

The Biden-Harris Administration has been clear about its commitment to making sure people, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality health care by expanding high speed internet and telehealth services to rural and tribal communities across the nation. And we know that access to mental and behavioral health care is an important component to ensuring people everywhere can thrive.

This year, as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, and we think about where to start, we want to make sure the conversation includes just how important it is for people in the most remote parts of the country to have access to these services.

I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges people living in rural parts of Pennsylvania have in accessing the mental and behavioral health care resources they need and deserve. These challenges are especially true for people living on Tribal lands who have been underserved for far too long.

That’s why USDA Rural Development is committed to providing resources and services that improve the overall health and wellness in rural communities, which includes addressing behavioral health challenges and the nation’s mental health crisis.

In Pennsylvania, we are working hard to empower people and organizations in rural areas with the information they need to take full advantage of our programs designed specifically to support mental and behavioral health. In doing so, we help create and sustain economic prosperity in our rural communities.  

And through the recently launched USDA Rural Health webpage, we are even better equipped than before to share information, data, and USDA resources that can directly improve mental and behavioral health in rural and tribal communities. 

USDA is also working with partners like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure people in rural areas have access to the care they need through resources like the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan.

 
In addition to these invaluable resources, I've been proud to champion funding opportunities through programs like our Community Facilities Programs, Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program, and Emergency Rural Health Care Grants.

Throughout May, USDA Rural Development is sharing success stories and resources we have available to improve mental and behavioral health across the country.  

USDA also is facilitating mental health events throughout the month including a webinar on how to support mental health needs in the workplace. The webinar will be live on Tuesday, May 21 at 1:30 pm ET – 3 pm ET. Register here. 

We welcome you to join us this Mental Health Awareness Month as we explore “Where to Start.” 

You can learn more about our programs by visiting our website or by calling 7172372153.