Save the Date: 2025 Tennessee Grand Regions Tour

The Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to join us in 2025 Grand Regions Tour. These spring regional events will give members an opportunity to learn from prominent speakers in rural communities and esteemed universities as we explore critical topics in behavioral health. These events are perfect for healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and anyone passionate about rural health.

The 30th Annual Conference of the Rural Health Association of Tennessee is set to bring a dynamic range of educational opportunities to its members. This year, the Association introduces new tracks designed to address the evolving needs of rural healthcare. Attendees from rural hospitals, rural health clinics, school health programs, substance use disorder treatment, maternal health, and public health sectors will find dedicated sessions tailored to their fields. These sessions, taking place on the first morning of the conference from 8 AM to 11 AM, will provide an engaging platform for professionals to learn, collaborate, and advance strategies to improve healthcare in rural communities.

National Recovery Month, observed every September, is a time dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, celebrating individuals in recovery, and recognizing the work of professionals in the field. The month serves as a beacon of hope for millions, demonstrating that recovery is possible for everyone. It highlights the importance of community involvement, resilience, and support systems in helping people achieve long-term recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. By fostering open conversations and reducing stigma, National Recovery Month helps create an environment where individuals feel encouraged to seek help without judgment.

Talking about National Recovery Month is especially important in rural areas, where access to healthcare services, including mental health and substance use treatment, can be limited. Rural communities often face unique barriers, such as fewer treatment centers, limited transportation options, and a shortage of healthcare professionals trained to handle complex recovery issues. Stigma surrounding addiction and mental health can also be more pronounced in rural areas, where close-knit communities sometimes struggle to maintain privacy and confidentiality. National Recovery Month provides an opportunity to break through these barriers, highlighting the critical need for better resources and support networks in underserved areas.

Join Rural Health Association of Tennessee in September for Recovery in Rural, a virtual learning series. Each week we'll host panelists and expert guests to discuss- What does recovery look like in rural Tennessee? What works to reduce stigma and build recovery-ready communities? What are promising practices and evidence-based solutions that help our people thrive? All sessions are virtual. Registration is required. Reach out to Jessica Rackley, RCORP Director, with questions.

Join us for an engaging conversation on how rural communities can lead the way in promoting recovery and resilience. Our panelists will share inspiring stories of progress, discuss barriers hindering recovery readiness, and outline essential steps to create inclusive environments where everyone can flourish in their recovery journey.

The Tennessee Together Student Survey captures data on youth behaviors, attitudes, and social norms related to substance misuse, emotional wellness, and other risk behaviors among Tennessee 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grade public school students. The third biennial administration of the student survey was conducted during the 2022-2023 school year. The final survey sample included more than 23,000 respondents across five Behavioral Health Planning Regions, 35 counties, and 186 schools statewide. The Tennessee Together Student Survey represents the largest survey of youth behavioral health ever undertaken in the state. It fills a critical information gap by providing locally representative data that have been previously unavailable for most Tennessee counties or regions. TN Together Student Survey

Have you submitted your nominations for the 2024 Annual Rural Health Awards? Each year the Rural Health Association of Tennessee recognizes individuals and groups of individuals from across the state of Tennessee who have dedicated themselves to the service of others within the field of rural healthcare. 

2024 Nominations are now open! Deadline to submit nominations is August 1, 2024.

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed throughout May, serves as a crucial platform to educate, raise awareness, and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues. It offers an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to come together to promote understanding and support for those struggling with mental health challenges.

One of the primary goals of Mental Health Awareness Month is to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage open conversations about mental well-being. By shedding light on the prevalence of mental illness and emphasizing that it is a natural part of the human experience, the month seeks to empower individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination. Through advocacy efforts and sharing personal stories, people are encouraged to recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health care and seeking support when needed.

Prescription Drug Takeback Day plays a crucial role in addressing the public health crisis of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Unused or expired prescription medications pose significant risks when left in homes, as they can be accessed by unauthorized individuals, including children, teenagers, and individuals with substance use disorders. Prescription Drug Takeback Day provides a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of these medications properly, reducing the likelihood of diversion, accidental ingestion, and environmental contamination.

Furthermore, Prescription Drug Takeback Day helps prevent prescription drug abuse by removing unused medications from circulation. Research has shown that a significant portion of prescription drug abuse begins with medications obtained from family members or friends, often without their knowledge. By encouraging individuals to safely dispose of unused medications, Takeback Day reduces the availability of prescription drugs for misuse and helps prevent the initiation of substance use disorders, particularly among young people who may experiment with prescription medications.

Navigating the winter months with mental health disorders can be particularly challenging due to factors such as reduced sunlight, colder temperatures, and the holiday season. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression associated with changes in seasons, often intensifies during winter. To mitigate its effects, individuals can explore light therapy, spending time outdoors during daylight hours, and incorporating light-enhancing activities into their daily routines. Additionally, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for stabilizing mood and energy levels, as disruptions to sleep patterns can exacerbate symptoms of various mental health disorders.

The winter season can contribute to social isolation, which is especially detrimental to individuals with mental health disorders. Efforts to stay connected with loved ones and engage in social activities, even if they are virtual, can provide a crucial support system. Community involvement and participation in group activities can foster a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation that often intensify during the winter months.

RHA Staff Deliver Prescription-drug Take-back boxes 

In August, Big South Fork Medical Center, announced the opening of Myrtle Recovery Centers, its alcohol and drug treatment facility at the Oneida hospital.

October 31st, Jessica Rackley, RHA's Rural Community Opioid Response Program (TN-RCORP) Director, and Jacy Warrell, RHA's CEO traveled to Oneida to deliver two prescription drug take-back boxes to be placed at the hospital.

October 28th is recognized as National Drug Take Back Day.

National Drug Take Back Day is a public health initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to dispose of their unused or expired prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs safely. This annual event, organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies, aims to combat the growing issue of prescription drug abuse and its associated health risks. By participating in National Drug Take Back Day, people can ensure that these medications do not end up in the wrong hands, in turn reducing the potential for misuse, addiction, and overdose.

One of the main benefits of National Drug Take Back Day is the environmentally responsible disposal of pharmaceuticals. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can lead to contamination of water sources and soil. By providing designated collection sites where individuals can drop off their medications, the initiative prevents these substances from polluting the environment. This environmentally friendly approach not only safeguards ecosystems but also protects human health by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.

The Behavioral Health Safety Net System in Tennessee, known as BHSN of TN, is a crucial resource for adults aged 18 and older who lack insurance coverage but meet the necessary eligibility criteria. This program offers essential community-based behavioral health services, with the exception of inpatient care, which is not covered. BHSN of TN is effectively administered through contracts with Community Mental Health Agencies statewide.

For individuals seeking to access this safety net assistance, the process involves locating a provider in their area and scheduling an intake appointment. During the appointment, applicants should express their intention to apply for the safety net program. If deemed eligible based on the eligibility requirements outlined below, the agency will provide support in completing the enrollment form. Approved participants must receive Behavioral Health Safety Net services exclusively at the Community Mental Health Agency where they initiated the application process.

National Recovery Month aims to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

To start off National Recovery Month, we're sharing a few resources and will add to these as the month progresses. 

Please join TN-RCORP members, Power of Putnam and Tennessee Tech’s Counseling Honor Society Tau Tau, for a collaborative symposium to discuss new developments and best practices in substance use prevention and recovery. In person and virtual options are available.

The Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE) is a national syndromic surveillance system used to monitor disease trends for early detection of potential disease outbreaks.

In Tennessee, the Department of Health (TDH) is using ESSENCE to monitor weekly trends in suicidal behavior and identify regions/counties across the state seeing increased incidents of persons reporting to an emergency department for suicide-related behavior. Each week, the Suicide Prevention Program within TDH will review reports on how many people visited a local ED for suicidal ideation or injuries related to self-harm or suicide attempts. If a certain county reports an above-average number of suicide-related visits for a certain age group, this will trigger an ESSENCE alert for that county and age group. These alerts will be issued weekly by TDH.

Tennessee's Rural Health Care Task Force, formed in June 2022 by Governor Bill Lee, has released a number of recommendations aimed at improving access to care and health outcomes for rural Tennesseans. In the report are recommendations to increase access to care, train healthcare professionals, and address social drivers of health.

Rural Health Association of Tennessee's CEO, Jacy Warrell, served as the Social Drivers of Health Subcommittee Chair, making recommendations to support grant programs that will allow rural communities to develop and implement their own innovative solutions to addressing social drivers locally. RHA's workforce program also received a nod and is included as a recommendation to address building healthcare career pathways for entry-level healthcare professionals.

Join RHA and Dr. Erica Schlesinger Hurst, Pharm.D., Assistant Chief Pharmacist with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) for a virtual training on MAT/MOUD (Medication Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) and Stigma on August 22, 2023, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT.  

Attendees will learn about and understand the change in brain function during active opioid use disorder, gain the ability to identify medications used to treat opioid use disorder, and have a comprehension of the various stigma affecting the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Register

Join us this spring! 

Regional events are an opportunity to learn more about health issues affecting your community, such as substance use disorder, maternal health, and more. Lunch will be provided to in-person attendees.

A Town Hall, moderated by Jacy Warrell, RHA's CEO, will be available from 2:00-3:00pm. 

This training includes Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), mental health care providers, and primary care organizations that provide SUD/OUD screening, MAT services, and behavioral health services.

The training will differentiate between RHC, FQHC, CAH, and traditional provider coding and billing requirements and will speak to the unique billing challenges stemming from RHCs, FQHCs, and CAHS having to bill using different claim forms and receiving different types of payments from Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers than traditional providers. Click for more training details. 

Register Here Tennessee Rural Health Clinics, Rural FQHC, CAH: Apply discount code "RCORP2023" to receive training for free. Non-providers and/or out of state guests must pay $200.