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
125. Coaching & Innovation in the Rural Midwest: Rethinking Mental Health Support
In this episode, we dive into what coaching and innovation can look like in the rural Midwest when traditional mental health systems fall short. Joined by Jessica, a longtime healthcare leader and nonprofit founder, we explore the realities of rural mental health access, workforce shortages, and the disproportionate impact on youth and marginalized communities. Through lived experience, data, and practical examples, this conversation challenges the “waitlist-only” model of care and highlights why rural communities need more flexible, integrative, and community-driven approaches to mental health support.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- How coaching and integrative models can complement traditional mental health services in rural communities
- Why nearly 90% of counties in Iowa are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas and what that means for access to care
- How workforce shortages disproportionately impact youth and minority populations
- Why innovation, prevention, and appropriately matched interventions are critical in rural mental health systems
- How communities can move beyond “just wait to see a therapist” toward more responsive support models
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 – Introduction, hosts, and the classic “whiny farmer” rural Midwest intro
00:02:10 – Jessica’s background and 20+ years in healthcare and community health
00:05:40 – From clinical care to coaching: expanding how we think about mental health support
00:08:30 – The data: Iowa’s mental health workforce shortages and rural disparities
00:12:15 – Impact on youth, families, and underserved populations
00:15:10 – Funding challenges and structural barriers in rural mental health systems
00:18:20 – Innovative, integrative approaches that actually meet people where they are
00:22:10 – Moving beyond waitlists: reimagining access and intervention in rural communities
00:25:00 – Closing reflections and what needs to change next
Links:
- https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/hpsa-find
- https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/14237/download?inline
- https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/7
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/C3dRhZY11Wo