About Us

Mental disorders are a major health challenge affecting 59.2 million Americans annually. Mental disorders can impair a person’s functioning and they increase the risk of suicide almost 11-fold among youth. Additionally, the 59.5 million residents who live in rural regions experience higher rates of suicide than their urban counterparts, particularly in Rocky Mountain States, where there is poorer access to care. Clearly, new and innovative approaches are needed to complement and augment the limited mental health care resources in rural areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people access medical care. It has helped to widen the reach of digital mental health care. Digital screening tools and treatments are available when and where people need them at a fraction of the cost of clinician-delivered treatments even via telemedicine. Evidence shows that internet-based mental health screenings and treatments are as effective as clinician therapy for most people experiencing the most common mental disorders. Because they require no or minimal clinician support, they are easily accessible, constantly available, private, and affordable. Effective internet-based therapies are available for depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, insomnia, and other psychiatric illnesses. Despite the proven effectiveness of digital mental health treatments and the unmet need for mental health care, a major challenge has been dissemination. Our institute, comprised of top mental health researchers and well-connected community liaisons, will partner with communities to build behavioral health networks and find creative solutions to disseminate and encourage the use of these effective treatments. Together we will help improve and save lives across rural America.