MT. PLEASANT, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — Central Michigan University is tackling the state’s mental health crisis in rural areas.
CMU’s College of Medicine is establishing the CMU Rural Health Equity Institute.
Students will work closely with communities to improve mental healthcare access.
“To build students’ connections within these communities in a way and try to expand,” said Dr. George Kikano.
“These are meaningful experiences for these kids and hopefully they can go to their residencies and come back to practice in rural Michigan,” Dr. Kikano said. “These are actual projects happening.”
CMU’s first phase includes Gladwin, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Osceola an Oscoda counties.
It’ll use telehealth to reach patients, work to create a direct line between psychiatrists and patients.
And the second phase will use federal funds to build telehealth infrastructure and clinical service capacities.
The focus on rural healthcare will meet a need that became very visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In many ways, the pandemic revealed disparities in the way it impacted different communities,” said Alison Arnold, director of the CMU Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness. “Structural barriers have led to inequitable health care opportunities for rural residents. These barriers have persisted, and local communities have been resilient and resourceful in tackling some issues. But the pandemic really brought into light the severity of some issues – including mental health concerns, social isolation, and delayed access to much needed health care. Rural health equity means all people living in rural areas can live the healthiest life possible. This includes living a life free from discrimination and unfair treatment, as well as having access to healthcare and social services, safe neighborhoods, and places to live, reliable transportation, healthy foods, working wages that support basic needs, and community policies that are fair to all people.”
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