The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
The Stepping In It Podcast is a weekly discussion of the latest news and trends in behavioral health policy development and practice. Each episode features interviews with experts from across the field, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The podcast provides listeners with practical tips and resources for improving the quality and access to behavioral health care.
The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
113. Scary – The Top 10 Scariest Issues Facing Behavioral Health in 2025
In this special “Scary” episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the top 10 most frightening challenges confronting behavioral health in 2025. From looming Medicaid cuts and crushing rural healthcare debt to the persistent stigma, workforce shortages, and the rise of AI in care, we uncover the realities keeping providers, patients, and policymakers up at night. Alongside hard-hitting issues like transportation barriers, lack of evidence-based practices, and growing isolation in rural communities, we also tackle the unexpected—Bigfoot. Yes, you heard that right. If researchers can track Sasquatch sightings across the country, why is it still so hard to connect people with a therapist? Join us for a mix of data, dark humor, and serious conversation on the scariest realities shaping behavioral health today.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Explore the top scariest issues facing behavioral health in 2025.
- Hear how funding challenges, stigma, and technology are shaping care.
- Learn about rural healthcare struggles from the frontlines.
- Discover how policy, workforce, and community voices intersect in reform.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:06 - Introduction to Episode 113: Scariest Issues in Behavioral Health 2025
00:01:08 - Family Costumes, Soup Holiday, and Traditions
00:01:24 - Balancing Harvest with Halloween Parties
00:02:00 - Coyotes, Full Moons, and Spooky Farm Nights
00:02:53 - Transition into the Top 10 Scariest Issues
00:03:44 - #10: Federal Funding Cuts & Medicaid Uncertainty
00:04:38 - #9: Stigma Blocking Access to Care & Housing
00:05:47 - #8: Cannabis & THC Policy Challenges (Texas Example)
00:06:53 - THC Risks: Link to Psychosis and Psychiatric Disorders
00:07:15 - #7: Technology & AI in Behavioral Health
00:07:50 - #6: Transportation Barriers to Accessing Services
00:08:15 - #5: Data Gaps and Research Limitations
00:08:40 - #4: Evidence-Based Practices and Implementation Challenges
00:09:10 - #3: Workforce Shortages Across Rural Behavioral Health
00:09:45 - #2: Isolation and Its Mental Health Impact
00:10:15 - #1: Bigfoot (Sasquatch) – A Lighthearted Wrap-Up
00:23:05 - Closing Reflections & Bigfoot Crowned as Scariest of All
00:23:15 - Self-Care Policy of the Week: Removing Hidden Triggers from Environments
00:24:35 - Holiday Season Guidance: Making Sobriety an Easier Choice
00:24:49 - Episode Wrap-Up & Preview of What’s Next
Links:
Connect with us:
https://ruralpolicypartners.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/
https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners
https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bdFqc50DMM