Closing the Gap: Increasing Community Mental Health Services in Rural Indiana.

Due to the significant need for mental health services in rural Martin County, IN and lack of providers, this study examined the current strengths of the community as well as the barriers preventing mental health service delivery. The goal of the study was to propose community-specific solutions to overcoming the barriers. Using a strengths-based approach (Saleeby in The strengths perspective in social work practice, Longman, White Plains, NY, 1992), the authors first sought to understand Martin County residents' current experiences with mental health services.