A psychiatric-mental health nurse is preparing to practice in a rural region. What should the nurse understand about mental health issues and services in rural cultures?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most mental health services exist in urban settings; with fewer services, those in rural settings generally have less access to health care. While this lack of access leads to fewer mental health diagnoses, this lower rate of diagnosis does not necessarily indicate a lower incidence of mental health disorders. Rural areas are diverse in culture, so while some treatment approaches may be favored in some locations compared to others, any statement that rural cultures are unreceptive to mental health care is unsupported. Suicide rates in rural areas are higher than those in urban areas, with firearms most commonly used.

A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Is Preparing to Practice in a Rural